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Prevention of Overweight and Obesity: How Effective is the Current Public Health Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Ruth S.M. Chan

    (Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Jean Woo

    (Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Obesity is a public health problem that has become epidemic worldwide. Substantial literature has emerged to show that overweight and obesity are major causes of co-morbidities, including type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, various cancers and other health problems, which can lead to further morbidity and mortality. The related health care costs are also substantial. Therefore, a public health approach to develop population-based strategies for the prevention of excess weight gain is of great importance. However, public health intervention programs have had limited success in tackling the rising prevalence of obesity. This paper reviews the definition of overweight and obesity and the variations with age and ethnicity; health consequences and factors contributing to the development of obesity; and critically reviews the effectiveness of current public health strategies for risk factor reduction and obesity prevention.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruth S.M. Chan & Jean Woo, 2010. "Prevention of Overweight and Obesity: How Effective is the Current Public Health Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:3:p:765-783:d:7235
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ruth S.M. Chan & Kris Y.W. Lok & Mandy M.M. Sea & Jean Woo, 2009. "Clients’ Experiences of a Community Based Lifestyle Modification Program: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 6(10), pages 1-15, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gertner, Gaston & Johannsen, Julia & Martinez, Sebastian, 2016. "Effects of nutrition promotion on child growth in El Alto, Bolivia: results from a geographical discontinuity design," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 123162, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Laura M. König & Vera Araújo‐Soares, 2023. "Will the Farm to Fork strategy be effective in changing food consumption behavior? A health psychology perspective," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 45(2), pages 785-802, June.
    3. Qi Zhu & Kun Xue & Hong Wei Guo & Fei Fei Deng & Yu Huan Yang, 2020. "Interaction of the CMTM7 rs347134 Polymorphism with Dietary Patterns and the Risk of Obesity in Han Chinese Male Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Kang Chen & Lai Yee Cheong & Yuan Gao & Yaming Zhang & Tianshi Feng & Qin Wang & Leigang Jin & Eric Honoré & Karen S. L. Lam & Weiping Wang & Xiaoyan Hui & Aimin Xu, 2022. "Adipose-targeted triiodothyronine therapy counteracts obesity-related metabolic complications and atherosclerosis with negligible side effects," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-20, December.
    5. Hashem Salarzadeh Jenatabadi & Che Wan Jasimah Bt Wan Mohamed Radzi & Nadia Samsudin, 2020. "Associations of Body Mass Index with Demographics, Lifestyle, Food Intake, and Mental Health among Postpartum Women: A Structural Equation Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-24, July.
    6. Jongnam Hwang & Eun-Young Lee & Chung Gun Lee, 2019. "Measuring Socioeconomic Inequalities in Obesity among Korean Adults, 1998–2015," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-14, May.

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