704 research outputs found
The impact of economic, political and social globalization on overweight and obesity in the 56 low and middle income countries
This is the final published version. It first appeared at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953615001744.Anecdotal and descriptive evidence has led to the claim that globalization plays a major role in inducing
overweight and obesity in developing countries, but robust quantitative evidence is scarce. We undertook
extensive econometric analyses of several datasets, using a series of new proxies for different dimensions
of globalization potentially affecting overweight in up to 887,000 women aged 15e49 living in
56 countries between 1991 and 2009. After controlling for relevant individual and country level factors,
globalization as a whole is substantially and significantly associated with an increase in the individual
propensity to be overweight among women. Surprisingly, political and social globalization dominate the
influence of the economic dimension. Hence, more consideration needs to be given to the forms of
governance required to shape a more health-oriented globalization process.The authors were supported by the Centre for Diet and Activity
Research (CEDAR), a UKCRC Public Health Research Centre of
Excellence. Funding from the British Heart Foundation, Economic
and Social Research Council, Medical Research Council, the National
Institute for Health Research, and the Wellcome Trust (087636/Z/
08/Z ESRC: ES/G007462/1), under the auspices of the UK Clinical
Research Collaboration, is gratefully acknowledged
Prevalence of overweight and obesity on the island of Ireland: results from the North South Survey of Children's Height, Weight and Body Mass Index, 2002
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Childhood obesity is emerging as a major public health problem in developed and developing countries worldwide. The aim of this survey was to establish baseline data on the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Northern Ireland (NI).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The heights and weights of 19,617 school-going children and adolescents aged between 4 and 16 years in NI and RoI were measured using standardised and calibrated scales and measures. The participants were a representative cross-sectional sample of children randomly selected on the basis of age, gender and geographical location of the school attended. Overweight and obesity were classified according to standard IOTF criteria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Males were taller than females, children in RoI were taller than those in NI and the more affluent were taller than the less well off. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among females than males in both jurisdictions. Overall, almost one in four boys (23% RoI and NI) and over one in four girls (28% RoI, 25% NI) were either overweight or obese. In RoI, the highest prevalence of overweight was among 13 year old girls (32%) and obesity among 7 year old girls (11%). In NI the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity were found among 11 and 8 year old girls respectively (33% and 13%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These figures confirm the emergence of the obesity epidemic among children in Ireland, a wealthy country with the European Union. The results serve to underpin the urgency of implementing broad intersectoral measures to reduce calorie intake and increase levels of physical activity, particularly among children.</p
Uncorking the potential of wine language for young wine tourists
Effective communication with consumers underpins growth in wine knowledge that, in turn, contributes to growth in wine consumption. Indeed, tasting notes may enhance consumersâ experiences of wine. Yet wine language is full of fuzzy concepts. In this chapter, we consider the language used to talk about wine, specifically the humanlike features of wine (e.g., wine is described as honest, sexy, shy, or brooding). We demonstrate that metaphoric language is integral to the experience of wine and influences consumer behaviour. We discuss practical implications for the cellar door experience, and for effective and ethical wine communication. We conclude that metaphoric language is a pedagogical and cultural platform for engaging younger wine tourists in the cellar door experience, which is a significant revenue source for micro, small, and medium wineries
Rising prevalence of BMI â„40kg/m2: a high-demand epidemic needing better documentation
Whilst previously rare, some surveys indicate substantial increases in the population with body mass index (BMI) â„40 kg/m2 since the 1980s. Clinicians report emerging care challenges for this population, often with high resource demands. Accurate prevalence data, gathered using reliable methods, are needed to inform health care practice, planning, and research. We searched digitally for English language sources with measured prevalence data on adult BMI â„40 collected since 2010. The search strategy included sources identified from recent work by NCDâRisC (2017), grey sources, a literature search to find current sources, and digital snowball searching. Eighteen countries, across five continents, reported BMI â„40 prevalence data in surveys since 2010: 12% of eligible national surveys examined. Prevalence of BMI â„40 ranged from 1.3% (Spain) to 7.7% (USA) for all adults, 0.7% (Serbia) to 5.6% (USA) for men, and 1.8% (Poland) to 9.7% (USA) for women. Limited trend data covering recent decades support significant growth of BMI â„40 population. Methodological limitations include small samples and data collection methods likely to exclude people with very high BMIs. BMI â„40 data are not routinely reported in international surveys. Lack of data impairs surveillance of population trends, understanding of causation, and societal provision for individuals living with higher weights
Monitoring the impacts of trade agreements on food environments
The liberalization of international trade and foreign direct investment through
multilateral, regional and bilateral agreements has had profound implications
for the structure and nature of food systems, and therefore, for the availability,
nutritional quality, accessibility, price and promotion of foods in different
locations. Public health attention has only relatively recently turned to the links
between trade and investment agreements, diets and health, and there is currently
no systematic monitoring of this area. This paper reviews the available evidence on the links between trade agreements, food environments and diets from an obesity and non-communicable disease (NCD) perspective. Based on the key issues identified through the review, the paper outlines an approach for monitoring the potential impact of trade agreements on food environments and
obesity/NCD risks. The proposed monitoring approach encompasses a set of guiding principles, recommended procedures for data collection and analysis, and quantifiable âminimalâ, âexpandedâ and âoptimalâ measurement indicators to be tailored to national priorities, capacity and resources. Formal risk assessment processes of existing and evolving trade and investment agreements,
which focus on their impacts on food environments will help inform the development of healthy trade policy, strengthen domestic nutrition and health
policy space and ultimately protect population nutrition.The following organizations provided funding support for the travel of participants
to Italy for this meeting and the preparation of background research papers: The Rockefeller Foundation, International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF), University of
Auckland, Deakin University, The George Institute, University of Sydney, Queensland University of Technology, University
of Oxford, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, World Cancer Research Fund International, University of Toronto, and The Australian National
University. The Faculty of Health at Deakin University kindly supported the costs for open access availability of this paper,
and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Obesity Policy and Food Systems (APP1041020) supported the coordination and finalizing of INFORMAS manuscripts
A proposed approach to monitor private-sector policies and practices related to food environments, obesity and non-communicable disease prevention
Private-sector organizations play a critical role in shaping the food environments
of individuals and populations. However, there is currently
very limited independent monitoring of private-sector actions related to
food environments. This paper reviews previous efforts to monitor the
private sector in this area, and outlines a proposed approach to monitor
private-sector policies and practices related to food environments, and
their influence on obesity and non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention.
A step-wise approach to data collection is recommended, in which
the first (âminimalâ) step is the collation of publicly available food and
nutrition-related policies of selected private-sector organizations. The
second (âexpandedâ) step assesses the nutritional composition of each
organizationâs products, their promotions to children, their labelling
practices, and the accessibility, availability and affordability of their
products. The third (âoptimalâ) step includes data on other commercial
activities that may influence food environments, such as political lobbying
and corporate philanthropy. The proposed approach will be further
developed and piloted in countries of varying size and income levels.
There is potential for this approach to enable national and international
benchmarking of private-sector policies and practices, and to inform
efforts to hold the private sector to account for their role in obesity and
NCD prevention
Area-level deprivation and adiposity in children: is the relationship linear?
OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that childhood obesity is inversely associated with deprivation, such that the prevalence is higher in more deprived groups. However, comparatively few studies actually use an area-level measure of deprivation, limiting the scope to assess trends in the association with obesity for this indicator. Furthermore, most assume a linear relationship. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate associations between area-level deprivation and three measures of adiposity in children: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study in which data were collected on three occasions a year apart (2005-2007). SUBJECTS: Data were available for 13,333 children, typically aged 11-12 years, from 37 schools and 542 lower super-output areas (LSOAs). MEASURES: Stature, mass and WC. Obesity was defined as a BMI and WC exceeding the 95th centile according to British reference data. WHtR exceeding 0.5 defined obesity. The Index of Multiple Deprivation affecting children (IDACI) was used to determine area-level deprivation. RESULTS: Considerable differences in the prevalence of obesity exist between the three different measures. However, for all measures of adiposity the highest probability of being classified as obese is in the middle of the IDACI range. This relationship is more marked in girls, such that the probability of being obese for girls living in areas at the two extremes of deprivation is around half that at the peak, occurring in the middle. CONCLUSION: These data confirm the high prevalence of obesity in children and suggest that the relationship between obesity and residential area-level deprivation is not linear. This is contrary to the 'deprivation theory' and questions the current understanding and interpretation of the relationship between obesity and deprivation in children. These results could help make informed decisions at the local level
Prevalence and Determinants of Obesity among Primary School Children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Childhood obesity has increased dramatically and has become a public health concern worldwide. Childhood obesity is likely to persist through adulthood and may lead to early onset of NCDs. However, there is paucity of data on obesity among primary school children in Tanzania. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam. A cross sectional study was conducted among school age children in randomly selected schools in Dar es Salaam. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were taken using standard procedures. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m2). Child obesity was defined as BMI at or above 95th percentile for age and sex. Socio-demographic characteristics of children were determined using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to determine association between independent variables with obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam. A total of 446 children were included in the analysis. The mean age of the participants was 11.1±2.0 years and 53.1% were girls. The mean BMI, SBP and DBP were 16.6±4.0 kg/m2, 103.9±10.3mmHg and 65.6±8.2mmHg respectively. The overall prevalence of child obesity was 5.2% and was higher among girls (6.3%) compared to boys (3.8%). Obese children had significantly higher mean values for age (p=0.042), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (all p<0.001). Most obese children were from households with fewer children (p=0.019) and residing in urban areas (p=0.002). Controlling for other variables, age above 10 years (AOR=3.3, 95% CI=1.5-7.2), female sex (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.4-4.9), urban residence (AOR=2.5, 95% CI=1.2-5.3) and having money to spend at school (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.4-4.8) were significantly associated with child obesity. The prevalence of childhood obesity in this population was found to be low. However, children from urban schools and girls were proportionately more obese compared to their counterparts. Primary preventive measures for childhood obesity should start early in childhood and address socioeconomic factors of parents contributing to childhood obesity
Overweight and obesity and their associated factors among early adolescence school children in urban and rural Portugal
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