Obesity prevention

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Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease Ann M. Coulston and Carol J. Boushey See book keywords and concepts

Table 1 provides an overview of essential components for obesity prevention programs in schools. School-based programs must encompass both educational and environmental strategies to promote healthy eating and activity levels among students. A number of school-based programs targeting physical activity and eating behaviors have shown that it is possible to modify school environments and show improvements in diet and physical activity levels [102, 247-250].

The Planet Health Program, another school-based obesity prevention trial, found that the decreasing television component of their multicomponent program appeared to contribute most to the decrease in prevalence of obesity observed among girls [102]. The effectiveness of reducing sedentary behaviors in preventing and treating obesity clearly deserves further exploration. One reason for the success of such strategies may be the simplicity or clarity of the intervention message. D.

Despite the fact that relationships between sedentary behavior and obesity are somewhat unclear, intervention research with children and adolescents focused on reducing television watching shows promise as an obesity prevention and treatment strategy [97]. The work of Epstein et al. [65, 98-100] has figured prominently in the literature on decreasing sedentary activity as a strategy for promoting higher levels of physical activity.

It is important to note that these dietary and activity behavioral risk factors are modifiable and can be targets for change in obesity prevention and treatment efforts. Understanding the determinants of obesity and developing appropriate prevention and treatment strategies require an in-depth examination of behavioral risk factors for obesity. The goal of this chapter is to review available data regarding behavioral and environmental determinants of dietary intake and physical activity and to discuss implications for future public health research and intervention.

If energy density is the major determinant of human energy intake, as suggested by this research, then the major thrust of any program aimed at weight reduction or obesity prevention should concentrate on increasing the consumption of energy-dilute foods such as soups, salads, and casseroles. Using this approach, Rolls has produced some promising data [223].

Waist circumference and cardiometabolic risk: A consensus statement from Shaping America's Health: Association for Weight Management and Obesity Prevention; NAASO, The Obesity Society; the American Society for Nutrition; and the American Diabetes Association. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 85, 1197-1202. 50. Lean, M. E., Han, T. S., and Morrison, C. E. (1995). Waist circumference as a measure for indicating need for weight management. AM/311, 158-161. 51. Lemieux, I., Drapeau, V., Richard, D., Bergeron, J., Marceau, P., Biron, S., and Mauriege, P. (2006).

Food Fight Kelly Brownell and Katherine Battle Horgen See book keywords and concepts

Although numerous taxes have been implemented, there is not a single case where the revenue has been earmarked for programs related to nutrition, physical activity, or obesity prevention. þLarger snack food taxes (5 percent to 10 percent) thus far have not endured. It is difficult to know whether public resistance, lobbying from the food industry, or problems with implementation have been the stimulus for the repeal of these taxes. Large taxes have not been tried with public health as the stated goal. þLarger snack taxes appear to decrease snack food sales.

Generating funds to support initiatives on diet, activity, and obesity prevention is a bridge that must be crossed. It is in this context that food taxes enter the picture. In a 1994 Op-Ed piece in the New York Times, we began public discourse of taxing high-calorie, high-fat, or high-sugar foods as one means for addressing the obesity epidemic.34 This elicited a firestorm of controversy. The storm still rages. However, the intervening years have seen a decline in the hostility toward the tax concept.

In the absence of national policy and accompanying oversight of nutrition programs, the aggregate effect of federal food programs will pass unnoticed and a unique opportunity for obesity prevention will be missed. The Economics of Physical Activity At the same time food costs drop, the cost of being physically active is rising. The opportunity costs in particular have grown so extreme that physical activity in the population has plummeted (see Chapter 4). Few people perform physical work as part of employment, so one must use leisure time to be active.

A number of states and municipalities have generated money through small taxes on soft drinks or snack foods, but the funds have not been earmarked for nutrition, physical activity, or obesity prevention.91 Estimates are that a national tax of one cent per can of soft drink would raise $1.5 billion per year, more than enough to cover what schools now make from soft drinks and snack foods. Encourage Community Groups to Embrace Nutrition as a Cause School and community organizations could play an important role in sensitizing communities to the importance of nutrition.

If more such people take on healthy eating (or childhood obesity prevention) as their favored cause and then entice their celebrity peers to join in, tremendous change might be possible. These efforts would probably be seen quite favorably by the public, making such celebrities even more valuable in the endorsement marketplace. Help Parents Help Their Children The food industry claims that parents must take more responsibility if children are to develop healthier eating patterns. So fine, what would they suggest be done? Create massive education programs for parents?

The first necessary step is for obesity prevention to be a priority in the four main food programs (WIC, Food Stamp Program, National School Lunch Program, Head Start). Obesity is a major threat to the health and well-being of the people served by these programs. There are special opportunities for prevention given the power of these programs to help children. A number of changes might be possible in each of the relevant programs.

Food Politics Marion Nestle See book keywords and concepts

The Distilled Spirits Council, for example, sponsored a session on the risks and health benefits of alcohol consumption, Slim-Fast sponsored talks on obesity prevention and treatment, the company that makes Benecol margarine underwrote a session on its cholesterol-lowering ingredient, and Quaker/Gatorade supported lectures on athletes' dietary supplements. Does sponsorship influence the content of conference sessions? In my experience, speakers at sponsored sessions are offended by such a question.

Although the summit was largely devoted to discussions of obesity prevention, neither of the agency secretaries suggested that the guidelines might help people eat less. Instead, USDA Secretary Dan Glickman said, These guidelines reflect the latest in scientific knowledge on nutrition and health. They recommend that all Americans use the Food Guide Pyramid to make informed food choices, choosing a balanced diet that includes a variety of grains, fruits and vegetables every day.

Natural Pet Cures: Dog & Cat Care the Natural Way Dr. John Heinerman See book keywords and concepts

The role of fiber is critical to safe and successful weight loss and obesity prevention. Another beneficial effect is improved glycemic control. Fiber also promotes regularity, which does away with constipation in many obese animals. The best diet should always be high in fiber, low in fat, and high in complex carbohydrates. Nonobese dogs and cats should be fed a consistent diet that they can be counted on to eat. It wouldn't be a bad idea for the owner to keep the daily caloric intake at a constant level and not vary it too much.

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