Obesity Prevention and Public Health

Citation

Crawford, D. and Jeffery, R.W. (2008), "Obesity Prevention and Public Health", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 38 No. 3, pp. 298-298. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2008.38.3.298.3

More than 22 million children under five are now obese or overweight. Globally an estimated 10 per cent of school aged children between five and 17 years old are overweight or obese and in some countries the figure is as high as 35 per cent, in the UK it is 10 per cent of children are obese and 20 per cent are overweight. The situation is getting worse.

Although recognised clinically for some time as an important condition that increases risk of ill‐health in affected individuals obesity has been recognised as a population wide problem that requires preventive action. Obesity is a major contributor to disease and disability, the associated health costs are enormous, obesity has already reached epidemic proportions in many countries and incidence is continuing to increase in both children and adults. Disturbingly the epidemic is not confined to developed countries with many developing countries and those in transition affected.

This book draws together the existing literature and expertise from all over the world with a view to helping set the agenda for public health action. The book is divided into three sections. Part 1 provides an overview of the context of the problem. It examines the epidemiology of obesity, the role of behavioural, socio‐cultural and environmental factors in the obesity epidemic. Part 2 reviews interventions across a range of key settings and in different population groups – drawing on existing research that has aimed to increase physical activity, promote healthy eating and prevent obesity at a population level. Given how little research there is that has specifically examined the effectiveness of interventions aimed at preventing obesity per se. Part 3 explores potential opportunities to prevent obesity.

This book will be of interest to those involved in obesity prevention. The price of £49.50 will deter it from featuring on many individual's book shelves but will be of help in college and university libraries.