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Identification of Key Results
Results of this research highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the public health concern of obesity. Although obesity and its defining features like BMI are causally related to lifestyle factors like diet and activity levels, the research shows that the situation is more complex than that. There is a range of socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, and political variables that also affect the prevalence of the disease. Identifying these outlying variables may be the key to resolving the obesity epidemic.
The obesity ecological model (OEM) has proven to be one of the most effective strategies for epidemiological analysis because it takes into account environmental and personal factors (Egger, Swinburn & Rossner, 2003). Using a multifactorial model like the OEM allows epidemiologists to take into account factors like age, race, socioeconomic class status, and compounding medical conditions. Key results of the study are as follows.
First, although the obesity epidemic has affected diverse communities around the world, it can be traced to a number of shared variables including dietary and other lifestyle choices. These are variables that are preventable and controllable, meaning that the obesity epidemic itself is preventable and controllable. The research also shows that while numbers and trends have shifted, the overall trend has been towards...
These variables include socioeconomic class status, the political culture and climate, religion, the economy, and worldview (Hu, 2008; Mela, 2005).
Third, developmental psychology and life course theory has been shown to be relevant to the etiology of obesity in some populations (Hu, 2008). Specifically, the results of the longitudinal ALSPAC (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents And Children) study shows that fetal exposure, breastfeeding, parental impacts, school atmosphere and transition into adulthood are all critical nodes or junctures in childhood development (Reilly, Armstrong, Dorosty, et al, 2005).
Fourth, in addition to applying developmental psychology theories to the epidemiology of obesity, it is effective to apply systems theory. Systems theory takes into account family and other mezzo level variables impacting population health. The Sobko, Svensson, Ek, et al (2011) research using the Early STOPP (STockholm Obesity Prevention Program) program is illustrative and provides insight into how a similar pilot study could be applied elsewhere.
Implications
The implications of this research on the obesity epidemic are global, including potential changes to public policy. To meet HealthyPeople 2020 objectives, epidemiologists are challenged…
pressure people into accepting the idea that being slim and looking good are essential steps in a person's journey to happiness. Either because of the profits they can gain from the 'industry' of looking good or simply because they want to promote healthy practices, numerous individuals have gotten actively involved in providing advice to the masses with regard to what attitudes they need to take in order to lose
Waters' illustrious footsteps. Local sports leaders and teams might like to engage in 'shape up' campaigns, such as rewarding students who do a required number of 'steps' per day. Up until this point, unfortunately, North Carolina's emphasis as a state has been on monitoring student's weight, rather than changing their behaviors. The "Healthy Schools, Healthy Weight" initiative focuses on providing toolkits to track student's BMIs and identify them as obese.
Obesity Psychology The Psychology of Obesity Obesity is a significant public health problem. Due to negative nutritional habits, a lack of exercise and a greater proclivity toward lifestyle decisions which expose individuals to lesser physical activity, America is suffering an obesity epidemic with extensive implications to its national well-being. Obesity is proven to have a direct link to heart disease, high blood pressure and certain types of diabetes according to the Centers
Childhood Obesity in America The authorities can only address the issue of childhood obesity by educating people on the negative effects that the condition imposes, because only then can they get everyone, whether personally affected or not, aboard, and working towards a common childhood obesity-eradication goal (The U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2013). In order to do this, however, the authorities themselves ought to be at the forefront; people need to see
Craven County North Carolina Obesity Epidemic Craven County, North Carolina is located in the Coastal Plains section of North Carolina and is situated halfway between New York and Florida. Craven County is reported to cover 708.43 square miles of land area and is characterized by flat land to gently rolling hills. Craven County is topographically flat with the average elevation approximately 17.5 feet above sea level. Craven County is reported as
" (Dietz, 1998). Obese children are often taller than their non-overweight peers, and are apt to be viewed as more mature. This is an inappropriate expectation that may result in adverse effects on their socialization. (Dietz, 1998). Overweight children and adolescents report negative assumptions made about them by others, including being inactive or lazy, being strong or tougher than others, not having feelings and being unclean. (American Obesity Association, 2000). This