Understanding And Tackling Obesity

From an early age children are bombarded by the media with messages promoting foods high in saturated fats, sugars and salt. One of the greatest changes for children in the last 50 years is the decrease in exercise and the increase in 'screen' time. This programme is not about dieting or weight control, instead it has been designed to be realistic and non-discriminatory, aiming to enable children from an early age to recognise and resist unhealthy pressures, maintain body-esteem and know how to make skilled choices that will ensure their health and wellbeing. 'When we shift the focus from fat and weight to healthy choices leading to nutritional health and fitness we sacrifice nothing and gain an approach that enhances the wellbeing of all.' (Kater, 2005). The 12 sessions cover topics including: what to eat; how to understand food labels; media messages; get moving; and TV turnoff. There are full facilitator notes with all the necessary resources to run an interactive programme that will engage children. Supporting the class activities there are 'take home' activities that will keep parents aware of what is being covered in the programme as well as a weekly log, where children record trying new foods and physical activities. The book contains background information about the increase in obesity, the effect of media messages as well as the philosophy and approach taken in the programme. The package includes a CD-ROM which has all the copiable resources and a PowerPoint for staff training.

To battle the obesity epidemic in America, health care professionals and policymakers need relevant, useful data on the effectiveness of obesity prevention policies and programs. Bridging the Evidence Gap in Obesity Prevention identifies a new approach to decision making and research on obesity prevention to use a systems perspective to gain a broader understanding of the context of obesity and the many factors that influence it.

The prevalence of childhood obesity is so high in the United States that it may reduce the life expectancy of today's generation of children. While parents and other adult caregivers play a fundamental role in teaching children about healthy behaviors, even the most positive efforts can be undermined by local environments that are poorly suited to supporting healthy behaviors. For example, many communities lack ready sources of healthy food choices, such as supermarkets and grocery stores. Or they may not provide safe places for children to walk or play. In such communities, even the most motivated child or adolescent may find it difficult to act in healthy ways. Local governments-with jurisdiction over many aspects of land use, food marketing, community planning, transportation, health and nutrition programs, and other community issues-are ideally positioned to promote behaviors that will help children and adolescents reach and maintain healthy weights. Local Government Actions to Prevent Childhood Obesity presents a number of recommendations that touch on the vital role of government actions on all levels-federal, state, and local-in childhood obesity prevention. The book offers healthy eating and physical activity strategies for local governments to consider, making it an excellent resource for mayors, managers, commissioners, council members, county board members, and administrators.

A clear explanation of causes, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood obesity

Promotes the recognition, treatment, and prevention of conditions of overweight and obesity in the United States.

The book explores the underlying beliefs and behaviours that may contribute to obesity, including psychological needs, addiction, fear of deprivation, parental influences and sexual fears. The author draws a useful distinction between the need to eat and the need to maintain a large body size, and addresses both LT obesity and ST weight gain.

Children's health has made tremendous strides over the past century. In general, life expectancy has increased by more than thirty years since 1900 and much of this improvement is due to the reduction of infant and early childhood mortality. Given this trajectory toward a healthier childhood, we begin the 21st-century with a shocking developmentâ€"an epidemic of obesity in children and youth. The increased number of obese children throughout the U.S. during the past 25 years has led policymakers to rank it as one of the most critical public health threats of the 21st-century. Preventing Childhood Obesity provides a broad-based examination of the nature, extent, and consequences of obesity in U.S. children and youth, including the social, environmental, medical, and dietary factors responsible for its increased prevalence. The book also offers a prevention-oriented action plan that identifies the most promising array of short-term and longer-term interventions, as well as recommendations for the roles and responsibilities of numerous stakeholders in various sectors of society to reduce its future occurrence. Preventing Childhood Obesity explores the underlying causes of this serious health problem and the actions needed to initiate, support, and sustain the societal and lifestyle changes that can reverse the trend among our children and youth.

This practical guide helps health or social care professionals across all settings to understand how important it is to prevent and manage their service users’ overweight and obesity, and motivate them to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, so reducing their risk of associated health conditions such as diabetes and now COVID-19. Obesity and associated health problems represent a growing health burden around the world, with rates throughout Europe increasing sharply over the last forty years, second only to the United States and closely followed by many nations in Asia. The book will be an invaluable manual for general practice, primary care and community clinicians, practice and community nurses and dietitians and a go-to reference for health professionals across all medical specialties and related support services, as well as medical education, public health and social care worker professionals.

Discrimination based on body shape and size remains commonplace in today's society. This important volume explores the nature, causes, and consequences of weight bias and presents a range of approaches to combat it. Leading psychologists, health professionals, attorneys, and advocates cover such critical topics as the barriers facing obese adults and children in health care, work, and school settings; how to conceptualize and measure weight-related stigmatization; theories on how stigma develops; the impact on self-esteem and health, quite apart from the physiological effects of obesity; and strategies for reducing prejudice and bringing about systemic change.