Lesson 8 (Obesity)

Question 1

What are the patterns of obesity?

Answer 1

Global + NZ :Prevalence of obesity increasing, in all groups.

Overweight/Obesity by SES Quintile:
Proportion increases with increasing quintile (i.e. more disadvantage). Especially visible with children.
Ratio of obese to overweight also increases with increasing deprivation.

Overweight/Obesity by Ethnicity:
Asian -> European -> Maori -> Pacific

Question 2

What are the consequences of obesity?

MMPS

Answer 2

Metabolic disease, Mechanical disorders, Psychological problems, Social Consequences

Question 3

What factors are associated with the consequence of metabolic disease?

Answer 3

Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, almost all cancers (esp colon, breast [PM], uterine), gallbladder diseases

Question 4

What factors are associated with the consequence of mechanical disorders?

Answer 4

Arthritis, back pain, obstructive sleep apnoea, skin disorders

Question 5

What factors are associated with the consequence of physiological problems?

Answer 5

Low self esteem, reduced quality of life, depression

Question 6

What factors are associated with the consequence of social consequences?

Answer 6

Weight bias and discrimination, reduced life opportunities

Question 7

What are the causes of obesity?

Answer 7

Genetic, metabolic, behavioural & ENVIRONMENTAL reasons.

Question 8

Define Obesogenic environments:

Answer 8

The sum of influences that the surroundings, opportunities, or conditions of life have on promoting obesity in individuals or populations.

Question 9

What is driving/increasing the obesity pandemic?

Answer 9

Food System:
Changes in global food supply (products, prices, placement & promotion) - which create population ‘passive overconsumption’ of total energy.

Decreasing occupational activity.
Increasing sedentary time.

Underlying political and economic drivers.

Question 10

How is obesity progressing through populations?

Answer 10

Women → Men
Middle age → Children
High SES → Low SES
Urban → Rural

Question 11

By what local environments is obesity shaped by?

Answer 11

Economic, physical, sociocultural, policy

Question 12

How does the economic environment shape obesity?

Answer 12

Income & disparities in income

Question 13

How does the physical environment shape obesity?

Answer 13

Food

Physical activity

Question 14

How does the sociocultural environment shape obesity?

Answer 14

Food, PA, body size.

Question 15

How does the policy environment shape obesity?

Answer 15

Market regulations

Question 16

Why is there policy resistance?

Answer 16

Processed food industry are strong and oppose policies.

Politicians are susceptible to lobbying and/or believe in education and market-based solutions and/or not high enough priority.

Civil society organisations (NGOs) are fragmented, poorly funded and (for many) muzzled.

The public are supportive of policies but are not demanding action i.e. lack of public pressure.

Accountability systems are weak.

Question 17

What are the major policies in place to prevent obesity in NZ?

Answer 17

Major policies:
Junk food marketing to children → no regulations
Tax on sugary drinks → none
Healthy food policies in schools → voluntary
Healthy food policies in early childhood settings → yes but poorly implemented.
Front of pack labelling → yes but 20% only implementation.
Restrictions on health claims on foods → yes.

Question 18

What is the community action being taken to prevent obesity in NZ?

Answer 18

Healthy Families NZ