Obesity and the Environment: Where Do We Go from Here?

Abstract

The obesity epidemic shows no signs of abating. There is an urgent need to push back against the environmental forces that are producing gradual weight gain in the population. Using data from national surveys, we estimate that affecting energy balance by 100 kilocalories per day (by a combination of reductions in energy intake and increases in physical activity) could prevent weight gain in most of the population. This can be achieved by small changes in behavior, such as 15 minutes per day of walking or eating a few less bites at each meal. Having a specific behavioral target for the prevention of weight gain may be key to arresting the obesity epidemic.

Keywords

CalorieObesityWeight gainMealPopulationEnvironmental healthBalance (ability)Energy balancePhysical activityBody weightMedicineDemographyPhysical therapyBiologyEcologyEndocrinologyInternal medicineSociology

Affiliated Institutions

Related Publications

‘Small Changes' to Diet and Physical Activity Behaviors for Weight Management

Andrew P. Hills , Nuala M. Byrne , Rachel C. Lindstrom +1 more

Obesity is associated with numerous short- and long-term health consequences. Low levels of physical activity and poor dietary habits are consistent with an increased risk of ob...

2013 Obesity Facts 9502 citations

Portable oxygen and exercise tolerance in patients with chronic hypoxic cor pulmonale.

R. J. E. Leggett , D. C. Flenley

Breathing 30% oxygen during exercise alleviated arterial hypoxaemia and reduced minute ventilation in patients with severe chronic bronchitis. A similar level of oxygen (2 or 4 ...

1977 BMJ 107 citations

A qualitative investigation into the levers and barriers to weight loss in children: opinions of obese children

Joe Murtagh , Rachael Dixey , Mary Rudolf

This study identifies the important levers and barriers experienced by obese children in their attempt to lose weight. Dealing with these levers and barriers while acknowledging...

2006 Archives of Disease in Childhood 160 citations

World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour

Fiona Bull , Salih S Al-Ansari , Stuart Biddle +27 more

Objectives To describe new WHO 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Methods The guidelines were developed in accordance with WHO protocols. An expert Gu...

2020 British Journal of Sports Medicine 9322 citations

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetics – prevalence and predictive factors in a multiracial hospital clinic population in <scp>M</scp>alaysia

Wah‐Kheong Chan , Alexander Tong Boon Tan , Shireene Ratna Vethakkan +3 more

Abstract Background and Aim There is currently no published study comparing prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ) and associated factors among diabetics of d...

2013 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepat... 76 citations

Publication Info

Year: 2003
Type: article
Volume: 299
Issue: 5608
Pages: 853-855
Citations: 2185
Access: Closed

External Links