Childhood Obesity Prevention: International Research, Controversies and Interventions
Jennifer A. O'Dea and Michael Eriksen
Abstract
This book brings together up-to-date research and experience of some of the most highly regarded childhood obesity prevention researchers, practitioners, and theorists. Controversial issues include whether or not schools should measure students' weight for height; how researchers can properly measure and interpret such data whilst taking into account its many limitations; what to do (or not to do) with any data collected; how best to involve school staff and teachers; and whether to combine childhood obesity prevention within the broader prevention of eating disorders, dieting, and disordered ... More
This book brings together up-to-date research and experience of some of the most highly regarded childhood obesity prevention researchers, practitioners, and theorists. Controversial issues include whether or not schools should measure students' weight for height; how researchers can properly measure and interpret such data whilst taking into account its many limitations; what to do (or not to do) with any data collected; how best to involve school staff and teachers; and whether to combine childhood obesity prevention within the broader prevention of eating disorders, dieting, and disordered eating. The first section of the book highlights the relationship between obesity, social disadvantage, and poverty. Section 2 reports on current prevalence trends from Western Europe, Canada, Scandinavia, the USA, Australia, Asia, South Africa, Brazil, and the Middle East. The most appropriate and suitable preventive initiatives are discussed. Section 3 deals with debates and issues including how to combine clinical treatment with prevention; include health professionals; engage and empower community members; understand how health education and health promotion theory can be utilized; and which public health lessons can be utilized to approach childhood obesity prevention. Examination of the lessons learned from the prevention of tobacco use are outlined and debated. A chapter about the Singaporean schools project illustrates how to avoid adverse outcomes such as opposition from parents, body image problems, and eating disorders. Section 4 presents a broad range of interventions to date; suitable school-based approaches; interventions involving parents; physical activity interventions; and the design and implementation of culturally appropriate childhood obesity interventions.
Keywords:
overweight,
prevalence,
health education,
prevention,
health promotion,
school health,
social injustice,
socioeconomic status,
SES,
social class
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2010 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780199572915 |
| Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: January 2011 |
DOI:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199572915.001.0001 |
Authors
Affiliations are at time of print publication.
Jennifer A. O'Dea, editor
Associate Professor of Health Education and Nutrition Education, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney, Australia
Michael Eriksen, editor
Director of the Institute of Public Health, Georgia State University, USA
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