Preventing Obesity Flashcards
Is being overweight or underweight more common globally?
Overweight = 65% of the worlds population live in countries where overweight and obesity kill more people than being underweight
What are some of the morbidity issues associated with being overweight or obese?
Obesity doubles the odds of being unable to live a normal active life
What is the effect of severe obesity on life expectancy?
Leads to death 8-10 years sooner than in those of normal weight = with every extra 15kg risk of early death increases by about 30%
What are the medical issues associated with being overweight or obese?
Stroke, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pulmonary disease, cataracts, pancreatitis, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, no-alcoholic fatty liver disease, gynaecological abnormalities, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, cancer, phlebitis, gout
What BMI range carries the lowest health risk?
BMI of 21-22 = normal weight
What does a BMI of 22-25 carry a risk of?
BMI > 22 = 3x risk of diabetes
BMI > 23 = CHD mortality increased
BMI of 25 = 8x risk of diabetes, 2x risk of CHD
What does a BMI of 28-32 carry a risk of?
BMI of 28 = presentation of NIDDM
BMI of 30 = 40x risk of diabetes
BMI > 32 = all causes of mortality doubled
What are the health impacts of having a BMI >39?
BMI of 39 = cancer risk doubled
BMI >= 40 = incompatible with normal life
What are some features of persistent obesity in men?
Odds ratio is 4.8, not significantly associated with any adverse adult outcomes measures
What are some features of persistent obesity in women?
Odds ratio 4.7, predicted higher risk of never having been gainfully employed and not having a current partner
What is classed as normal weight?
BMI of 18.5-24.9
What BMI is classed as being overweight?
25-29.9
What are the different classes of obesity?
Class I (mild) = BMI of 30-34.9 Class II (moderate) = BMI of 35-39.9 Class III (severe) = BMI of 40 or above
In what ethnic groups are the ranges for being overweight and obese different?
South Asians, Chinese, Japanese, Black Africans and Afro-Caribbeans = overweight at BMI >23, obese at BMI > 27.5
What are the weight centiles in children (aged 2-18)?
Median is 50th centile, <85th centile used for populations
<91st centile is healthy range
91st centile is overweight, 98th centile is obese, 99.6th centile is severely obese
What sub-groups are at high risk of developing obesity?
Socioeconomically deprived, rapid weight gainers, obese children (or children with obese parents), post-obese, pregnant, smoking quitters, genetic markers of susceptibility, physical inactive
What factors interact to cause obesity?
Heritability = 60% of weight variance
Genetic mutations/polymorphisms = <5% of weight variance
Environment
What are some obesity drivers?
Increased supply of cheap, palatable and energy dense food, increased access and convenience of food, increased marketing, decreased access to physical activity opportunities
What are the major sub-systems that cause someone to become obese?
Societal influences, individual psychology, food production and consumption, individual activity, activity environment, biology
What aspects of the consumer food environment are being targeted for improvement?
Processed food composition, food availability, pricing strategies, informational and promotional environment is more consistent with dietary advice
How are food systems being targeted to reduce obesity?
Incentives to produce, distribute and sell healthier products
Opportunities for producers to enter alternative marketing channels for healthier products
How can consumer attitudes be changed?
Through education and building skills
In what groups is obesity more common?
With increasing age (up until age 75) and deprivation (especially women and children)
What are the obesity prevention targets?
Decrease energy intake and sedentary behaviour
Increase physical activity
What is the prevalence of obesity?
1/5 of P1 children are overweight or obese, increasing to 2/3 by adulthood
What is the role of doctors in preventing obesity?
Set a good example, supports those around you, speak out publicly, know how to recognise obesity, raise healthy weight with patients, be able to explain facts to patients, be aware of support available to patients
