Reversing the Obesogenic Environment

Abstract

Obesity has become a global crisis. Although most would agree that eating better and being more physically active are the answer to the problem, researchers have recently become aware that the problem goes beyond just changing individual behaviors. We can convince people of the benefits of healthful eating and regular physical activity, but what happens when they go home to a neighborhood where fresh vegetables are not available and opportunities for physical activity are hard to find? If the environment doesn’t help support healthy lifestyles, the change will be next to impossible to sustain. In Reversing the Obesogenic Environment, leading researchers Lee, McAlexander, and Banda introduce the concept of the obesogenic environment—an environment that leads people to become obese—and explore ways that changing our environment can encourage healthier choices. Although most of the current literature focuses on the food supply and dietary habits, Reversing the Obesogenic Environment takes a broader view of the current obesity problem. It looks at all of the elements that combine to create the obesogenic environment: • The ways that the built environment, access to resources, and active transportation systems can either foster or discourage regular physical activity • The multiple factors that encourage consumption of calorie-laden, nutritionally inadequate foods that can lead to obesity • The positive and negative impact of public policy • The influence of family, culture, socioeconomic status, and other social factors on an individual’s health behaviors as well as access to physical activity opportunities and healthier food options • The role that media and marketing play in food purchasing decisions With Reversing the Obesogenic Environment, readers will get a cutting-edge view of this emerging body of research with applications that can be realistically implemented in their communities. The book goes beyond defining the issues that contribute to the obesity epidemic—it offers tools that will help practitioners start to reverse it. Throughout the book, the authors incorporate practical recommendations based on the latest research. Sample programs and policies, checklists, and potential solutions offer readers a starting point for changes in their own communities. The obesity epidemic is a multifaceted issue influenced by factors ranging from international trade and national policy to individual behaviors. Reversing the problem will take coordinated multilevel efforts. These efforts may take years to come to fruition, but it isn’t too late to take action. Reversing the Obesogenic Environment is the ideal guide to taking the first steps toward change. Reversing the Obesogenic Environment is part of the Physical Activity Intervention Series (PAIS). This timely series provides educational resources for professionals interested in promoting and implementing physical activity and health promotion programs to a diverse and often-resistant population.

Food cue reactivity and craving predict eating and weight gain: a meta‐analytic review

“…Our work provides strong empirical support for the idea that exposure and reactivity to food cues, including craving, increase eating and weight, and thus may contribute to rising and persistent rates of obesity. Indeed, our findings are consistent with both conditioned, learning-based models (21)(22)(23)(24) and their theoretical applications to obesity (80- 84,93,94,99,141). For instance, Jansen (8,9) proposed that eating triggered by increased availability and advertising of food can lead to steady weight gain on a population level and interfere with the efficacy of obesity treatment.…”

Design and methodology of a cluster-randomized trial in early care and education centers to meet physical activity guidelines: Sustainability via Active Garden Education (SAGE)

“…The SAGE project features many innovations not implemented in previous interventions conducted in the ECE setting. Although ecologic frameworks have been previously applied to guide interventions, few studies exist that address not only the multilevel nature of the ecologic milieu but also the dynamic system in which behavior change occurs [89]. This study responds to this gap with a CBPR approach to weave together an established theoretical model, the EMPA [20,21], with a clear evaluation framework (RE-AIM) in a cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT) using standardized CONSORT reporting guidelines.…”

Contextual influences on physical activity and eating habits -options for action on the community level

“…Studies, including those involving monozygotic twins, have shown that genetic predisposition plays a large part in determining an individual’s weight and body mass index (BMI), as well as in the development of excess weight gain and obesity [ 5 , 6 ]. However, the dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity in the last ten years indicates that other relevant external factors also play a role [ 7 , 8 ]. In contrast to the stability of our genetic make-up, we have been witnessing dramatic changes in our lifestyles over the last few decades, specifically regarding tertiarization and automation of working environments, mobility and dietary habits [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…For children and adolescents such factors may be the restriction of the use of green zones, playgrounds and sporting fields – for example the prohibition of use after a certain hour – and institutional or familial regulations (for example, school rules, community funding policies, or family rules on watching TV, the use of media and common eating times). Factors which are especially relevant for adults include local traffic regulations (for example, access restrictions, pedestrian areas, parking bans) which have an influence on an individual’s choice of modes of transportation [ 8 ] (Fig. 1 ).…”