Environmental Influences on Eating and Physical Activity

Abstract

Key Words environmental change, obesity preventions Abstract Obesity has increased dramatically over the past two decades and currently about 50% of US adults and 25% of US children are overweight. The current epidemic of obesity is caused largely by an environment that promotes excessive food intake and discourages physical activity. This chapter reviews what is known about environmental influences on physical activity and eating behaviors. Recent trends in food supply, eating out, physical activity, and inactivity are reviewed, as are the effects of advertising, promotion, and pricing on eating and physical activity. Public health interventions, opportunities, and potential strategies to combat the obesity epidemic by promoting an environment that supports healthy eating and physical activity are discussed.

Longitudinal relationships between occupational and domestic physical activity patterns and body weight in China

“…While it is probable that some declines in occupational activity levels are occurring within job categories due to increasing technology and automation (Hill and Melanson, 1999;French et al, 2001), this study did not attempt to capture within-job activity changes. Rather, declines in occupational activity were due to (1) decreases in the time spent and (2) shifts over time in the types of jobs held.…”

A systematic review of associations between environmental factors, energy and fat intakes among adults: is there evidence for environments that encourage obesogenic dietary intakes?

“…All the studies in the current review were observational and examined cross-sectional associations between environmental factors and dietary intakes. These study designs provide an indication of significant associations, but are limited for examining causal relationships between the factors of interest and dietary intakes 48 . Longitudinal and experimental study designs would enable environmental determinants (rather than correlates) of dietary behaviour to be identified.…”

Reducing unhealthy weight gain in children through community capacity-building: results of a quasi-experimental intervention program, Be Active Eat Well

“…[8][9][10] It is clear that innovative approaches that work and are flexible, effective, cost effective, equitable and sustainable are urgently needed, and comprehensive community-wide interventions hold promise as one such option. 6,7,[10][11][12] We are currently evaluating a capacity-building approach to community-wide interventions aimed at reducing childhood obesity in six controlled intervention demonstration projects in a broad range of contexts, age groups and ethnic groups across four countries (Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand). 13 It is rare that communities have sufficient resources or capacity to promote health, and therefore a process of capacity building is required.…”