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With rates of overweight and obesity on the rise around the world, there have been numerous reality television shows dedicated to this complex and enduring issue. This exploratory contribution outlines the global epidemiological situation relating to overweight and obesity in the European context, before seeking to discover whether there is any linkage between the rates of overweight in a given European country and the popularity – as demonstrated through the number of seasons broadcast – of the local version of the weight-loss reality show The Biggest Loser. Through the analysis of online sources, preliminary data is gained, providing useful information for further research on the topic at a later date.

Despite the proliferation of theory-based behavior-change programs to promote physical activity, obesity and diabetes rates continue to rise. Given the notable ineffective interventions, it is important to examine why these efforts have been largely unsuccessful and to consider potential alternatives. The purpose of this article is to consider the role of values in understanding decisions about physical activity and to outline a more appropriate framework for investigating them. Aristotle originally proposed that human behavior may be better understood in terms of phronesis (practical reasoning), aimed at realizing valued goals rather than as the product of antecedent causal determinants. Instead of relying exclusively on scientific methodologies, a more comprehensive approach to study physical activity participation would also incorporate analytical processes used in the humanities, especially with respect to conceptualizing the role of values in guiding human behavior. Therefore, revising and expanding the research, teaching, and practice conducted in physical activity education are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The rates of overweight and obese adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have increased dramatically in recent decades. Several anthropometric measurements are used to assess body weight status. Some anthropometric measurements might not be convenient to use in certain communities and settings. The objective of this study was to assess the agreement of four anthropometric measurements and indices of weight status and to investigate their associations with cardiometabolic risks.Methods: The study design was a cross-section population-based study. Adults living in the Northern Emirates were surveyed. Fasting blood samples, blood pressure readings and anthropometric measurements were also collected.Results: A total of 3531 subjects were included in this study. The prevalence of obesity/overweight was 66.4% based on body mass index (BMI), 61.7% based on waist circumference (WC), 64.6% based on waist-hip ratio (WHR) and 71% based on neck circumference (NC). There were moderate agreements between BMI and WC and between WC and WHR, with kappa (k) ranging from 0.41 to 0.60. NC showed poor agreement with BMI, WC and WHR, with k ranging from 0 to 0.2. Overweight and obesity based on BMI, WC and WHR were significantly associated with cardiometabolic risks.Conclusion: Overall, there was a moderate to a poor agreement between BMI, WC, WHR and NC. Particularly, NC showed poor agreement with BMI, WC and WHR. BMI and WC showed better performance for identifying cardiometabolic risks than WHR and NC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, the Kingdom of Bahrain has seen an increase in weight in a growing number of people. Experts in the field determined that it is due to a lack of exercise and poor dietary habits. The problem has reached extremely high records of obesity, 37% for females and 30% for males. The statistics were gathered during a cross-sectional study of 414 volunteers at a local shopping mall. The goal of this primary data analysis was to determine the current prevalence of weight abnormalities. The findings were used to predict the trend of such abnormalities among the sub-population of university students in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The analysis, done in 2018, was based on 1,100 surveys collected from subjects in the central universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain including the University of Bahrain, Ahlia University, University of Bahrain, Arabian Gulf University, Applied Science University, AMM International University, Arab Open University, and Bahrain Polytechnic. The research was conducted over a period of several months. The authors developed surveys in both Arabic and English and randomly selected participants aged between eighteen and twenty-five among full-time students from major universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The standards of these weight issues, including obesity, over-weight and under-weight issues were determined with the use of the International Classification Index, a diagnostic tool used for health management. It is managed and prescribed by the World Health Organization. Based on the Chi-square test, the results strongly depended on gender, age, and the extent of exercise performed on a weekly basis. As a result, a multinomial logistic regression involving these factors was used to compare the trends and predict the highest and lowest probabilities of each abnormal weight. For example, the male students, aged twenty-two or older who exercised less than one hour a week, were the most likely to be obese and overweight; about a 20% to 42% chance, respectively. However, the students most probable to be underweight (about 11%) were those females; aged eighteen and nineteen who exercised less than one hour a week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses NHANES data to assess trends in obesity and severe obesity stratified by race and Hispanic origin among US residents from 1999 to 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a meta-data analysis exploring the interrelationship between maternal body mass index, gestational weight gain, and the risk of being overweight or obese throughout childhood, using data taken from Europe, North America, and Australia.. Topics explored include US Institute of Medicine,, individual participant data, Maternal Obesity and Childhood Outcomes; odds ratio, population attributable risk fraction, standard deviation score, and World Health Organization

Obesity is a worldwide increasing concern, and its prevalence has risen rapidly over the past several decades. Since nonsurgical treatment for weight loss in morbidly obese patients has poor long-term outcomes, bariatric surgery has gained acceptance and popularity in the last years. The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has proved to be safe and effective, with successful long-term outcomes in morbidly obese patients. Key elements for the success of the operation are careful patient selection, a comprehensive preoperative evaluation, and a properly executed operation that respects the key technical elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity currently affects 78.6 million people (33%) in the United States and is expected to increase to over 50% of the population by 2030. This epidemic is fueled by the growing rate of obesity in adolescents. The new science of obesity indicates that there is a tipping point at which genetic resetting occurs and it is reached when adipose tissue dysfunction occurs. It is becoming clear that obesity is less an ongoing personal choice than a fact of biology. With this review, we aim to describe the epidemiology of obesity and the associated comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population monitoring of obesity is most commonly conducted using body mass index (BMI). We test the hypothesis that because of increases in waist circumference (WC) independent of increases in weight, BMI alone detects an increasingly smaller proportion of the population with obesity. Methods Australian adults with measured height, weight, and WC were selected from three nationally representative cross-sectional surveys (1989, 1999–2000, 2011–12; n = 8313, 5903 & 3904). Participants were defined as having obesity using classifications for an obese BMI (≥ 30 kg·m − 2 ) and substantially-increased-risk WC (≥ 88 cm [women], ≥ 102 cm [men]). Age-standardised prevalence of obesity according to BMI and/or WC, and the proportion of these detected by BMI and by WC were compared across surveys. Findings Between 1989 and 2011–12, weight and WC increased by 5.4 kg and 10.7 cm (women), and by 7.0 kg and 7.3 cm (men). For women and men, 63% and 38% of increases in WC were independent of increases in weight. Over this period, the prevalence of obesity according to BMI and/or WC increased by 25.3 percentage-points for women (18.9% to 44.3%) and 21.1 percentage-points for men (17.1% to 38.2%). The proportion of these detected by BMI decreased for women by 20 percentage-points (77% to 57%) with no change for men. The proportion of these detected by WC increased for women and men by 10 percentage-points (87% to 97%) and 6 percentage-points (85% to 91%) respectively. Conclusion BMI alone is detecting a decreasing proportion of those considered obese by BMI and/or WC. Renewed discussion regarding how we monitor obesity at the population level is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Low-income, African American women are disproportionately impacted by obesity. Little is known about the interactions between low-income, African American women who successfully lost weight and their primary care physicians (PCPs).Design: Mixed methods, positive deviance study.Setting: Urban university-based family medicine practice.Participants: The positive deviance group comprised low-income, African American women who were obese, lost 10% body weight, and maintained this loss for 6 months.Measures: The PCP- and patient-reported weight-related variables collected through the electronic medical record (EMR), surveys, and interviews.Analysis: Logistic regression of quantitative variables. Qualitative analysis using modified grounded theory.Results: The EMR documentation by PCPs of dietary counseling and a weight-related medical problem were significant predictors of positive deviant group membership. Qualitative analyses of interviews revealed 5 major themes: framing obesity in the context of other health problems provided motivation; having a full discussion around weight management was important; an ongoing relationship with the physician was valuable; celebrating small successes was beneficial; and advice was helpful but self-motivation was necessary.Conclusion: The PCP counseling may be an important factor in promoting weight loss in low-income, African American women. Patients may benefit from their PCPs drawing connections between obesity and weight-related medical conditions and enhancing intrinsic motivation for weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to evaluate the number of those overweight and the rate of obesity among 6- and 7-year-olds living in Poland with regard to their place of residence, the parental level of education and the number of children in the family. The analysis was based on a survey of 64 544 children (33 051 boys and 31 493 girls) living in Poland. Overweight and obesity were defined based on body mass index (BMI) using the IOTF cut-off points. To evaluate the rates of overweight and obesity occurrence in children with regard to family socio-economic status, parental level of education, the number of children in the family, and the place of residence (divided into city and village) was used. 'Only children' were the most likely group to be overweight or obese. These children were twice as likely to be obese as their peers living in families with four or more children. Overweight and obesity occurred more often amongst children living in cities rather than those living in rural areas. Moreover, these conditions were more frequent among children whose parents had higher levels of education. The most significant predictors of childhood overweight and obesity were the number of children in the family and the educational level of the mother. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association of overweight and obesity with red and white meat intake among children and adolescents using secondary survey data (n=16,261) from in-school Student Health Examination conducted in 2006 and 2007. Methods: Descriptive statistics was conducted to investigate the frequency of meat intake per week. The body mass index (BMI) grades for obesity in boys and girls were classified using the standards from the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. The association of meat intake with overweight and obesity was analyzed using Chisquare test and multiple logistic regression. Results: The proportion of subjects with no intake/week vs. daily meat intake/week was 5.9% and 5.5%, respectively. No intake of meat was more frequent in those who were female and in middle school, whereas daily meat intake was more frequent in those who were male and in high school. The proportions of overweight and obesity in the no meat intake/week group and daily meat intake/week group were 12.3% and 11.1% vs. 8.1% and 9.9%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding variables, including age; consumption of instant noodles, soft drinks and fast foods, dairy products, and fruits and vegetables; and skipping breakfast, the odds ratios of overweight and obesity in the no meat intake/week group were 1.41 times higher (95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.85) than those in the daily meat intake/week group. Conclusion: It is important to consider correcting the perception about meat intake and obesity and avoid restricting meat intake to prevent overweight and obesity among children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to identify an Convergence aerobic exercise's influence on obese female college students' Cardiorespiratory systems and arterial pulse wave Velocity, this study targeted female college students in D University in Y-gu, D-City, and selected total 26 ones having body fat percentage over 30% with no special disease in past and at present and no regular physical activity. After finally confirming their participation in this experiment by completely explaining the purpose of and contents of this experiment and getting the subjects' written contents to participate in the experiment, the investigator randomly arranged the subjects into the exercise group(N=13) and the control group(N=13) and conducted a 12-week aerobic exercise program to the exercise group this study got the following conclusion. First, concerning the body composition's change, the exercise group showed significant reduction in the weight, the body fat percentage, and the abdominal fat percentage. Second, for the respiratory & cardiovascular systems'change, the exercise group showed significant increase in the maximal oxygen uptake, the maximal heart rate, and the maximal breathing capacity. Third, for the arterial pulse wave Velocity's change, the exercise group showed significant reduction in the upper body(right and left hands) and lower body (right and left feet). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the obesity rates in Great Britain. Topics include the recommendations given by the World Health Organization (WHO), the various regulations of the Ofcom related to the marketing of unhealthy food, and the significance of children's preference. The plans of the health department of Great Britain is also discussed.

As obesity rates and physical inactivity levels continue to rise among American youth, the need for quality physical education programs is more important than ever. However, to many observers, physical education is a hindrance to academic time and a subject that does not bring value to the educational system. It is imperative for physical educators to advocate for and substantiate the true importance of the discipline. Children of today's generation have limited experiences being in a physically demanding environment, but have many opportunities, especially through technology, to be in a "fun" environment; thus, there is a push for physical education and physical activity overall to be fun. However, children who are not physically challenged do not develop the mental fortitude to persevere and succeed in physically demanding activities and many other aspects of life in general. The physical education classroom is an ideal setting to foster a challenging and engaging environment that can help develop the skills, knowledge, fitness, mental resiliency, and self-confidence to succeed and continue in physical activity and fitness enhancement. Maintaining a sole focus of fun in physical education will not bring on the behavioral change desired for lifetime activity and fitness, because the skills needed for such endeavors will not be thoroughly established. The purpose of this article is to jump-start a crucial conversation among academicians about the importance of presenting challenging and engaging educational environments that align with the educational groundwork that has shaped the physical education field. Through a demanding and rigorous physical education curriculum, students will better develop the required skills and confidence to continue in lifetime activity and fitness, and fun will be a lasting by-product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One might expect that a perception of obesity being a risk factor and disease, contributes to effective obesity prevention and management strategies. However, obesity rates continue to increase worldwide. The question arises whether obesity is truly perceived as a risk factor and a disease. This paper aims at describing perception of obesity as risk factor and disease among individuals seeking care, individuals not seeking care, the society, and different professionals having a role in the field of obesity. The paper is a reflection of the lecture on the topic that was given at the EASO's New Investigators United's Summer School 2016 in Portugal and the discussion with the new investigators and other senior speakers. Individual obese patients seeking help are very much aware of obesity being a risk factor and disease, but perceptions regarding obesity seem to be flawed among those who do not seek help for obesity. Also, misperceptions regarding obesity play a role at different levels, including society, differentpolitical levels, the fields of health care and social work, prevention organizations, and the food and marketing industry. The food and marketing industry has an enormous role in changing perceptions by the society and policy makers. Obesity rates will continue to increase as long as individuals, the society, and professionals at different levels have false interpretations of the severity of obesity. Severe action is needed against those who are playing a role in maintaining false perceptions of obesity as a risk factor and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify predictors of BMI in German adults by considering the BMI distribution and to determine whether the association between BMI and its predictors varies along the BMI distribution. Methods: The sample included 9,214 adults aged 18-80 years from the German National Nutrition Survey II (NVS II). Quantile regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between BMI and the following predictors: age, sports activities, socio-economic status (SES), healthy eating index-NVS II (HEI-NVS II), dietary knowledge, sleeping duration and energy intake as well as status of smoking, partner relationship and self-reported health. Results: Age, SES, self-reported health status, sports activities and energy intake were the strongest predictors of BMI. The important outcome of this study is that the association between BMI and its predictors varies along the BMI distribution. Especially, energy intake, health status and SES were marginally associated with BMI in normal-weight subjects; this relationships became stronger in the range of overweight, and were strongest in the range of obesity. Conclusions: Predictors of BMI and the strength of these associations vary across the BMI distribution in German adults. Consequently, to identify predictors of BMI, the entire BMI distribution should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last 10 years the prevalence of obesity across the European continent has in general been rising. With the exception of a few countries where a levelling-off can be perceived, albeit at a high level, this upward trend seems likely to continue. However, considerable country to country variation is noticeable, with the proportion of people with obesity varying by 10% or more. This variation is intriguing and suggests the existence of different profiles of risk or protection factors operating in different countries. The identification of such protection factors could indicate suitable targets for interventions to help manage the obesity epidem-ic in Europe. This report is the output of a 2-day workshop on the 'Diversity of Obesity in Europe'. The workshop included 14 delegates from 12 different European countries. This report contains the contributions and discussions of the materials and viewpoints provided by these 14 experts; it is not the output of a single mind. However, such is the nature of scientific analysis regarding obesity that it is possible that a different set of 14 experts may have come to a different set of conclusions. Therefore the report should not be seen as a definitive statement of a stable situation. Rather it is a focus for discussion and comment, and a vehicle to drive forward further understanding and management of obesity in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using body mass index (BMI) data from 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we test a spectrum of single parametric skewed distributions as well as Gaussian mixture densities to determine best distributional fit. We find that a k-component Gaussian mixture is the best model to describe the distribution of BMI data for the overall US population and for the population divided by gender, race, and region. A 4-component Gaussian mixture with the following sub-population means (standard deviations) fits best the US population: , , , with corresponding weights: 23%, 25%, 37%, and 15%. Current obesity standards are set based on a convention and they are fairly dated. Overweight population has BMI (25.0, 29.9). Obese population is subdivided into three grades based on BMI: grade 1 (30–35), grade 2 (35–40), grade 3 (40 and above). Our study shows that modeling BMI using mixtures can be used to redefine current standards and support them with actual prevalence rather than a dated convention. By redefining BMI standards and employing the mixture models by gender and race, health and food policy makers will have opportunity to diversify policies and treatments of obesity as premier public health problem in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Declines in cooking skills in the United States may contribute to poor diet quality and high obesity rates. Little is known about how Americans learn to cook or their support for cooking education policies. The objective of this study was to examine how Americans learn to cook, attributions of responsibility for teaching children how to cook, and public support for policies to teach cooking skills. We used a concurrent, triangulation mixed-methods design that combined qualitative focus group data (from 7 focus groups in Baltimore, MD (N = 53)) with quantitative survey data from a nationally representative, web-based survey (N = 1112). We analyzed focus group data (using grounded theory) and survey data (using multivariable logistic regression). We find that relatively few Americans learn to cook from formal instruction in school or community cooking classes; rather, they primarily learn from their parents and/or by teaching themselves using cookbooks, recipe websites or by watching cooking shows on television. While almost all Americans hold parents and other family members responsible for teaching children how to cook, a broad majority of the public supports requiring cooking skills to be taught in schools either through existing health education (64%) or through dedicated home economics courses (67%). Slightly less than half of all Americans (45%) support increasing funding for cooking instruction for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Broad public support for teaching cooking skills in schools suggests that schools are one promising avenue for policy action. However, school-based strategies should be complemented with alternatives that facilitate self-learning. More research is needed to identify effective means of teaching and disseminating the key cooking skills and knowledge that support healthy eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adult obesity rates in the United States have reached epidemic proportions, yet vary considerably across states and counties. We sought to explore community-level factors that may be associated with reduced adult obesity rates at the county level. Methods: We identified six U.S. counties that were positive deviants for adult obesity and conducted semistructured interviews with community leaders and government officials involved in efforts to promote healthier lifestyles. Using site visits and in-depth qualitative interviews, we identified several recurrent themes and strategies. Results: Participants: 1) developed a nuanced understanding of their communities; 2) recognized the complex nature of obesity, and 3) implemented a county-wide strategic approach for promoting healthy living. This county-wide approachwas used to a) break down silos and build partnerships, b) access community resources and connections, and c) transfer ownership to community members. Conclusions: We found that county leaders focused on establishing a county-wide structure to connect and support community-led initiatives to promote healthy living, reduce obesity, and foster sustainability. Findings from this study can help inform county-level efforts to improve healthy living and combat the multi-faceted challenges of adult obesity across the U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the current obesity and inactivity epidemics, public health researchers have attempted to identify spatial factors that influence physical inactivity and obesity. Technologic and methodologic developments have led to a revolutionary ability to examine dynamic, high-resolution measures of temporally matched location and behavior data through GPS, accelerometry, and GIS. These advances allow the investigation of spatial energetics, high-spatiotemporal resolution data on location and time-matched energetics, to examine how environmental characteristics, space, and time are linked to activity-related health behaviors with far more robust and detailed data than in previous work. Although the transdisciplinary field of spatial energetics demonstrates promise to provide novel insights on how individuals and populations interact with their environment, there remain significant conceptual, technical, analytical, and ethical challenges stemming from the complex data streams that spatial energetics research generates. First, it is essential to better understand what spatial energetics data represent, the relevant spatial context of analysis for these data, and if spatial energetics can establish causality for development of spatially relevant interventions. Second, there are significant technical problems for analysis of voluminous and complex data that may require development of spatially aware scalable computational infrastructures. Third, the field must come to agreement on appropriate statistical methodologies to account for multiple observations per person. Finally, these challenges must be considered within the context of maintaining participant privacy and security. This article describes gaps in current practice and understanding and suggests solutions to move this promising area of research forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses sugar-sweetened beverage safety warning laws in America as of 2016, and it mentions the health impacts of sugar-sweetened drinks, as well as the efficacy of warning labels and issues involving the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment, Supremacy Clause, and Dormant Commerce Clause doctrine. America's preemption legal doctrine is examined in relation to the nation's Nutrition Labeling and Education Act. The diabetes and obesity rates in the U.S. are also assessed.

We examine what, if anything, we can learn about obesity rates using self-reported BMI once we allow for possible measurement error. We use self-reported obesity rates, along with estimates of misclassification rates, to derive upper and lower bounds for the true population obesity rate. These bounds are then used as the basis for obesity rankings. Our results show, that once measurement error is taken into account, it is difficult to obtain meaningful rankings across European countries. However, our analysis shows that it is still possible to rank US states by obesity status using only minimal assumptions on the nature of the error process. As a result, cross-state variation in self-reported BMI, when used in conjunction with our bounds, may still provide a useful source of information for understanding the causes and consequences of obesity in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food and health regulations are increasingly being pushed onto the political agenda, with rising concerns about genetically modified foods, obesity rates, and vaccination. Public beliefs and attitudes on these issues often conflict with the scientific evidence, yet we know relatively little about what influences opinion on these issues. The public lacks clear partisan cues, and many food and health attitudes cut across the ideological spectrum. We argue that these issues represent new 'purity' attitudes that are driven by the emotion of disgust. Across three studies, both by measuring individuals' trait disgust sensitivity and experimentally inducing an emotional state of disgust, we demonstrate the impact of disgust on food and health policy attitudes. Our results show that greater sensitivity to disgust is associated with support for organic foods, opposition to genetically modified foods, and anti-vaccination beliefs. However, we find only limited evidence that experimentally manipulated disgust affects attitudes toward genetically modified and organic foods. Overall, our results demonstrate that disgust plays an important role in attitudes regarding public health and broadens our understanding of purity attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the author's proposal to use the U.S. Tax Code to incentivize employer-provided wellness benefits for employees, and it mentions the popularity of health and wellness programs in America, as well as information about the obesity rates for adults, children, and adolescents in the country. Labor productivity costs are examined in relation to absenteeism, disability, and premature mortality. Employer-sponsored health insurance taxation is assessed.

This study considers Kuwait's food security strategies in light of the country's environmental challenges. It examines the case of a country that relies on food imports, which are increasingly subject to supply and price shocks, and has one of the world's highest obesity rates, highest water use rates per capita, and one of the largest per capita waste footprints globally. The explanations for this curious situation include cultural, political, economic, and environmental variables supported by data collected between 2009 and 2014 using ethnographic research methods and participant observation in Kuwait. This article contributes to an emerging body of scholarship on new security challenges in the Arabian Gulf, and is one of the first to consider the national security implications of public health and resource strain in Kuwait, using ethnographic research methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:There is a growing belief that green space (for example, parks) help prevent obesity. There is evidence of an inverse association between green space and childhood body mass index (BMI); however, the majority of these studies are cross-sectional. Longitudinal studies that track change in BMI across childhood in relation to levels of green space proximity would improve the quality of evidence available for decision making.Methods:Objectively measured BMI was obtained every 2 years between 2006 and 2012 for 4423 participants initially aged 6-7 years in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). The LSAC is a nationally representative study on a range of health and socio-demographic measures. Using Australian Bureau of Statistics mesh block data, which classify small scale land areas based on the main usage, each participant was assigned an objective measure of green space availability within their Statistical Area (level 2) of residence. Gender-stratified multilevel linear regression was used to estimate BMI growth curves across childhood in relation to green space availability. Family income, Australian Indigenous status, mothers' education and language spoken were used to adjust for socio-economic confounding.Results:Age was found to be an effect modifier of associations between green space and BMI for boys (P=0.005) and girls (P=0.048). As children grew older, an inverse patterning of BMI by green space availability emerged. These findings held after adjustment for socio-economic circumstances for boys (P=0.009), though were less robust for girls after this adjustment (P=0.056).Conclusion:A beneficial effect of green space on BMI emerges as children grow older. However, there was little additional benefit after a modest amount of green space was met. Further research is needed to understand whether the drivers of this effect are from age-specific mechanisms, or whether the benefit of living in a greener neighbourhood is accumulated through childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food environment has been shown to be a factor affecting the obesity rate. We studied the association of density of food retailer type with obesity rate in U.S. adults in local regions controlling for socioeconomic factors. Parametric nonlinear regression was used on publically available data (year=2009) at the county level. We used the results of this association to estimate the impact of the addition of a new food retailer type in a geographic region. Obesity rate increased in supercenters (0.25–0.28%) and convenience stores (0.05%) and decreased in grocery stores (0.08%) and specialized food stores (0.27–0.36%). The marginal measures estimated in this work could be useful in identifying regions where interventions based on food retailer type would be most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous articles in the American Journal of Epidemiology (Am J Epidemiol. 2013;177 (5):431-442) and American Journal of Public Health (Am J Public Health. 2013;103(10): 1895-1901), Masters et al. reported age-specific hazard ratios for the contrasts in mortality rates between obesity categories. They corrected the observed hazard ratios for selection bias caused by what they postulated was the nonrepresentativeness of the participants in the National Health Interview Study that increased with age, obesity, and ill health. However, it is possible that their regression approach to remove the alleged bias has not produced, and in general cannot produce, sensible hazard ratio estimates. First, we must consider how many nonparticipants there might have been in each category of obesity and of age at entry andhowmuch higher the mortality rates would have to be in nonparticipants than in participants in these same categories. What plausible set of numerical values would convert the ("biased") decreasing-with-age hazard ratios seen in the data into the ("unbiased") increasing-with-age ratios that they computed? Can these values be encapsulated in (and can sensible values be recovered from) one additional internal variable in a regression model? Second, one must examine the age pattern of the hazard ratios that have been adjusted for selection. Without the correction, the hazard ratios are attenuated with increasing age. With it, the hazard ratios at older ages are considerably higher, but those at younger ages are well below one. Third, one must test whether the regression approach suggested by Masters et al. would correct the nonrepresentativeness that increased with age and ill health that I introduced into real and hypothetical data sets. I found that the approach did not recover the hazard ratio patterns present in the unselected data sets: the corrections overshot the target at older ages and undershot it at lower ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among 12 to 17 year-olds, overweight and obesity rates have more than doubled in the past 25 years. In Quebec, the government initiatives that have been implemented to promote healthy behaviours among young people require the collaboration of many stakeholders. The objective of this study was to describe collaborative practice in secondary schools promoting healthy eating and physical activity. Methods and Findings: A descriptive multiple-case study was conducted in three Quebec secondary schools. The data collection methods consisted of a focus group, semi-structured individual interviews (21), observation of events involving collaboration among various school stakeholders (5), and document analysis (3). Qualitative analysis of intra-case and cross-case data carried out by more than one researcher helped identify emerging manifestations of collaborative practice. Conclusion: Committing to projects, accepting tasks, and consulting with colleagues are some of the actions identified in school-based activities promoting healthy lifestyles. This study sheds light on the importance of collaborative practice in the promotion of healthy lifestyles among young people in a school setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in recent decades. It is an important public health issue as it causes many other chronic health conditions, such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and type II diabetics. Obesity affects life expectancy and even the quality of lives. Eventually, it increases social costs in many ways due to increasing costs of health care and workplace absenteeism. Using the spatial patterns of obesity prevalence as an example; we show how different geographic units can reveal different degrees of detail in results of analysis. We used both census tracts and census block groups as units of geographic analysis. In addition; to reveal how different geographic scales may impact on the analytic results; we applied geographically weighted regression to model the relationships between obesity rates (dependent variable) and three independent variables; including education attainment; unemployment rates; and median family income. Though not including an exhaustive list of explanatory variables; this regression model provides an example for revealing the impacts of geographic scales on analysis of health data. With obesity data based on reported heights and weights on driver's licenses in Summit County, Ohio, we demonstrated that geographically weighted regression reveals varying spatial trends between dependent and independent variables that conventional regression models such as ordinary least squares regression cannot. Most importantly, analyses carried out with different geographic scales do show very different results. With these findings, we suggest that, while possible, smaller geographic units be used to allow better understanding of the studies phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the All-American City Awards which awards healthy cities and communities in the United States. Information on the city Marshall, Texas, who won the award in 2014, their strategy of promoting health and physical activity, and how the winners of the awards are picked is presented. Also included is information on the National Civic League (NCL), which established the award in 1949, as well as information on statistics of the obesity rate in the United States and the promotion of healthy eating.

The article discusses the concept of a main street in a city, town or community in American cities. Information on the promotion of health and physical activity by designing cities pedestrian-friendly, intelligent neighborhood planning, and statistics on obesity in American cities is presented. Also included is information about the Colorado Health Foundation, which promotes fitness and health in young children in order to lower the obesity rate, as well as information on building playgrounds and parks.

The article discusses the anti-obesity initiatives in the city of Montgomery, Alabama. Information on a survey conducted in 2009, which showed that Montgomery, Alabama and Stockton, California are tied for having the highest obesity rates, the city's Public Health Office of Nutrition and Physical Activity, and programs which allow children to walk to school safely in order to get them to do physical activity is presented. Also included is information on workshops on healthy life style promoted by the city.

Over the past five decades in the United States, total medical expenditures and the proportion of medical expenditures financed with public funds have both increased significantly. A substantial increase in the prevalence of obesity has contributed to this growth. In this study we measure the external cost of obesity in the form of publicly funded health-care expenditures, and how this cost changes when the distribution of obesity in the population changes. We use a continuous measure of obesity, Body Mass Index (BMI), rather than discrete BMI categories to represent the distribution of obesity and changes in it. We predict that a one-unit increase in BMI for every adult in the United States would increase annual public medical expenditures by $6.0 billion. This estimated public cost equates to an average marginal cost of $27 per year, per adult for a one-unit increase in BMI for each adult in the U.S. population-or $4.35 per pound. Separately, we estimate that if every U.S. adult who is now obese (BMI ⩾30) had a BMI of 25 instead, annual public medical expenditures would decline by $166.2 billion (in constant 2009 dollars), or 15.2% of annual public medical expenditures in 2009. Assuming a socially optimal BMI of no more than 25, we estimate that the prevalence of obesity in 2009 resulted in a deadweight loss of $148.2 billion in 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a paper published in this journal in 2013 concentration indices for obesity were presented for male and female obesity. Decompositions of the indices were also presented. There was an error in the calculations which led to an overstatement of the concentration indices for obesity for both men and women. The decompositions were qualitatively unaffected. The corrected results are presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We estimate the effects of declining smoking and increasing obesity on mortality in the United States over the period 2010-2040. Data on cohort behavioral histories are integrated into these estimates. Future distributions of body mass indices are projected using transition matrices applied to the initial distribution in 2010. In addition to projections of current obesity, we project distributions of obesity when cohorts are age 25. To these distributions, we apply death rates by current and age-25 obesity status observed in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-2006. Estimates of the effects of smoking changes are based on observed relations between cohort smoking patterns and cohort death rates from lung cancer. We find that changes in both smoking and obesity are expected to have large effects on U.S. mortality. For males, the reductions in smoking have larger effects than the rise in obesity throughout the projection period. By 2040, male life expectancy at age 40 is expected to have gained 0.83 years from the combined effects. Among women, however, the two sets of effects largely offset one another throughout the projection period, with a small gain of 0.09 years expected by 2040. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within-survey multiple imputation (MI) methods are adapted to pooled-survey regression estimation where one survey has more regressors, but typically fewer observations, than the other. This adaptation is achieved through (1) larger numbers of imputations to compensate for the higher fraction of missing values, (2) model-fit statistics to check the assumption that the two surveys sample from a common universe, and (3) specifying the analysis model completely from variables present in the survey with the larger set of regressors, thereby excluding variables never jointly observed. In contrast to the typical within-survey MI context, cross-survey missingness is monotonic and easily satisfies the missing at random assumption needed for unbiased MI. Large efficiency gains and substantial reduction in omitted variable bias are demonstrated in an application to sociodemographic differences in the risk of child obesity estimated from two nationally representative cohort surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Metabolic risk factors and abnormalities such as obesity and hypertension are rapidly rising among the Chinese population following China's tremendous economic growth and widespread westernization of lifestyle in recent decades. Limited information is available about the current burden of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in China. Methods: We analyzed data on metabolic risk factors among 22,457 adults aged = 32 years participating in the "Zhabei Health 2020" survey (2009-2010), a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of community residents in Zhabei District. We defined MetS using Chinese-specific cut-off points for central obesity according to consensus criteria recently endorsed by several international and national organizations in defining MetS in different populations worldwide. We used a multiple logistic regression model to assess the associations of potential risk factors with MetS. Results: The unadjusted prevalence of the MetS was 35.1% for men and 32.5% for women according to the consensus criteria for Chinese. The prevalence increased progressively from 12.1% among participants aged 32-45 years to 45.4% among those aged = 75 years. Age, smoking, family history of diabetes, and education are significantly associated with risk of MetS. Conclusions: The MetS is highly prevalent and has reached epidemic proportion in Chinese urban adult community residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss the trends in the prevalence of obesity with reference to the Health Survey for England (HSE) data that suggest a plateauing in childhood obesity since 2005. They used the threshold values to classify body mass index (BMI) status in obesity epidemiology. It is suggested to collect cross-sectional surveys to monitor obesity trends and also focuses on the fact that the longer duration of obesity leads to an increase in obesity related diseases.

The problem of studying the causes of obesity is largely discussed in the literature by experts in nutrition and related diseases and is of particular interest in most recent years among scholars of business disciplines, especially as regards the impact on socio-health costs. After an overview of the geographical differences of obesity, related not only to eating habits, but also to lifestyles as well as hereditary factors, the purpose of this paper is try to trace the main functional relationships between BMI and health-care costs through the use of Multiple Corrispondence Analysis and Partial Least Squares Regression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Obesity is associated with several chronic conditions, increased medical costs, and premature death. Proper assessment of changes in body weight is crucial to control the spread of obesity. We used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to explore how adults in the United States recall their weight change and to identify characteristics associated with weight changes. Methods: Data from two cross-sections of adults aged ≥18years from the 2008 (n=385,416) and 2009 (n=394,700) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed. Body mass index was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Self-reported estimates of weight 1year prior to the interview were used to calculate changes in weight and obesity status between 2008 and 2009. Results: If self-reported changes in weight between 2008 and 2009 are to be believed, the obesity prevalence among men and women in the United States would have declined by 2.0% and 0.9% respectively. Yet, obesity prevalence increased 0.4%, overall, during this tim''e period. In general, American adults overestimated their previous weight and reported weight losses even though they had gained weight. Conclusion: Public health and medical professionals should interpret self-reported weight changes with caution when developing, implementing, and evaluating programs to control and prevent weight gain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Increasing overweight and obesity rates in Mexico have been associated with increases in mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study assessed changes in body mass index (BMI) and body weight over 1 year, and explored whether these were associated with changes in CVD risk factors of blood pressure and fasting glucose in a cohort of young Mexican adults. Study design: Longitudinal data were obtained from a cohort of young Mexican adults applying to college. Methods: Data were collected from college applicants for the 2008 academic year who re-applied in 2009. In total, 795 college applicants aged 18-20 years, of both sexes (48% males and 52% females), were included in the study. The screen included height, weight, and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure measurements plus a blood draw following an overnight fast for fasting glucose. Results: At baseline, 31.8% of the participants were overweight or obese. The mean 1-year change in body weight and BMI were 0.80 kg and 0.35 kg/m², respectively. One-year changes in body weight and BMI were associated with increased SBP and DBP for both men and women (P < 0.05), independent of baseline BMI. A weight gain of 5% or more was positively associated with increases in blood pressure among women (P < 0.05), but not among men. A weight loss of 5% or more was associated with reductions in SBP among women. Conclusions: One-year changes in weight were associated with changes in blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obesity epidemic is now worldwide. The obesity rate among the adult population is the highest in the United States. The response to the obesity epidemic will largely fall on local communities where constituents will look to the local public health department to lead development of an obesity response plan. In 2011, a dizzying explosion of strategies for population health and health-care providers was released concerning obesity prevention and treatment. In response planning, the Ten Essential Services of Public Health creates a framework to conceive, coordinate and communicate a systematic approach to health improvement. In this commentary, we outline potential strategies to engage the Ten Essential Services to empower local communities to prepare and execute effective locally-based reponses to the obesity epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a position statement from the European Association for the Study of Obesity on the need to balance the upstream and downstream measures to address obesity epidemic. It highlights the limitations of the focus on individual-level behavior, along with its potential of widening inequalities and increasing obesity-related stigma. The benefits of actions that promote universal prevention are noted.