EVALUATING CONTRIBUTING FACTORS OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN UK

Evaluating Contributing Factors Of Childhood Obesity In UK

Abstract

Childhood obesity has become an epidemic on a worldwide scale. Obesity throughout the world has developed into a worldwide public health issue which is giving rise to large number of economic and social problems. This is the reason why obesity has become one of the major research areas of economics. This paper provides a broad survey of the current and growing economic literature on the issue of obesity. The aim of this paper's literature, both theoretical and empirical, is to explain the rising trends in obesity and the factors which contribute to it. Also surveyed are non-economic causes and consequences of obesity and the interconnection with economic influences. An understanding of the causes of obesity allows policies to be considered that might stem the global increase in obesity. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research, including the need for large-scale, high-dose, and long-term interventions that take into account the complex nature of the problem.

Evaluating Contributing Factors Of Childhood Obesity In UK

Table of Content

Chapter 1: Introduction4

Obesity4

Objectives6

Methods6

Results7

Discussions7

Chapter 2: Background8

Classification of degree of obesity8

Economic burden8

Chapter 3: Literature Review11

Defining Childhood And Adolescent Obesity11

Terminology11

Fat As An Active Endocrine Organ12

What Is Insulin Resistance?13

Pubertal Insulin Resistance14

Psychosocial Correlates And Consequences Of Childhood And Adolescent Obesity15

Setting The Stage15

The Last Decade—1999-200916

Behavioral Determinants Of Obesity: Advances In Research On Diet In Youth18

Behavioral Determinants Of Obesity: Advances In Research On Physical Activity In Youth20

Behavioral Determinants Of Obesity: Advances In Research On Sleep In Youth21

Genetic Influences On Childhood And Adolescent Obesity22

Built And Social-Environmental Influences On Childhood And Adolescent Obesity23

Chapter 4: Methodology26

The Social Environment: The Influence Of Family26

Changing Human Behavior: Interventions To Prevent And Treat Childhood Obesity27

Chapter 5: Findings29

Interventions To Treat Childhood And Adolescent Obesity29

Interventions To Prevent Childhood And Adolescent Obesity30

Chapter 6: Conclusion32

Recommendations32

Final Conclusion33

Physiology And Neurobiology Of Childhood And Adolescent Obesity34

Psychosocial Influences On Childhood And Adolescent Obesity35

Obesity-Related Behaviors In Context: Diet, Physical Activity, And Sleep35

Genes And Environment36

Interventions: The Future36

References38

Chapter 1: Introduction

Obesity

Obesity is one of the major health problems of the 21st century (WHO 2006). In UK, childhood obesity has increased dramatically, especially during the last few decades ( House of Commons Health Committee 2004; Lobstein et al, 2004; Janssen et al. 2005).

Childhood and adolescent obesity are strong predictors of adult obesity. One study in a predominantly White U.K. population found that in children 10-15 years old, 80% of obese youth were obese by age 25. In a recent review that included 25 longitudinal studies from around the world, each and every study showed that overweight and obese youth were at significantly increased risk of becoming overweight adults. Evidence is convincing that childhood obesity is not a transient developmental phenomenon, but one that sustains adverse consequences over the entire life span.

The increase in childhood and adolescent obesity is not only deleterious to individual health, but comes at increasing cost to the public. Between 1998 and 2006 the medical burden of obesity increased from 6.5% to 9.1% of annual medical spending. The per capita medical spending for an obese person is roughly ...