scholarly journals Overweight and Obesity Epidemic in Developing Countries: A Problem with Diet, Physical Activity, or Socioeconomic Status?

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trishnee Bhurosy ◽  
Rajesh Jeewon
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Obese Individual ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern

Obesity is a significant public health concern affecting more than half a billion people worldwide. Obesity rise is not only limited to developed countries, but to developing nations as well. This paper aims to compare the mean body mass index trends in the World Health Organisation- (WHO-) categorised regions since 1980 to 2008 and secondly to appraise how socioeconomic disparities can lead to differences in obesity and physical activity level across developing nations. Taking into account past and current BMI trends, it is anticipated that obesity will continue to take a significant ascent, as observed by the sharp increase from 1999 to 2008. Gender differences in BMI will continue to be as apparent, that is, women showing a higher BMI trend than men. In the coming years, the maximum mean BMI in more developed countries might be exceeded by those in less developed ones. Rather than focusing on obesity at the individual level, the immediate environment of the obese individual to broader socioeconomic contexts should be targeted. Most importantly, incentives at several organisational levels, the media, and educational institutions along with changes in food policies will need to be provided to low-income populations.

scholarly journals OBESITY

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (03) ◽  
pp. 489-493
Author(s):  
FARHEEN UMAR QURESHI ◽  
JAWAD HUSSAIN ◽  
ANWAR SAOOD SAQIB
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Private Schools ◽  
Private School ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Obese Individual ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

Background: The problem of overweight and obesity is not confined only to developed countries but is also widely prevalent in developing countries. The study under report relates to determining prevalence of obesity and overweight in adolescent school boys. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in boys of public and private secondary schools, Faisalabad, and to relate it with their dietary style and physical activity. Study Design: Cross sectional and institutional based study. Methods: A total of 600 school boys of different age groups from the classes 6th to 10th were randomly selected and included for anthropometric measurements to categorize them into normal, overweight and obese individual. Their diet pattern and physical activity records were taken to correlate it with the obesity level. Results: The collected data revealed that 423 (70.5%) boys were normal. Whereas 98 (16.3%) were found to be overweight. Out of these, 72 (24.0%) were from private schools; while 26 (8.7%) were from government schools. Only 6 (2.0%) fell into obese category, and all belonged to private schools. No one was found to be obese in government schools. Mean ± SD weights (kg) in government and private school boys were 50.93 ± 7.18 and 56.34 ± 11.94, respectively whereas mean ± SD heights (m) of government and private schools boys were found to be 1.55 ± 6.64 and 1.56 ± 7.92 respectively. The data was statistically analyzed which exhibited significant relation with weight and BMI value. Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight was significantly higher in boys who ate junk foods and spent more time in watching television and sitting before computers. The findings of this study was found in agreement with certain earlier studies that revealed prevalence of obesity is to be on the increase among the private school boys of the area. It is, therefore, emphasized that regular physical exercise, regulated television viewing, doing household activities, balanced diet and healthy eating habits should be motivated in school children to ensure control of overweight and obesity, in this class of children.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF NUTRITIONAL HABITS AND BEHAVIOR FOR THE ETIOLOGY OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (Suppl.1) ◽  
pp. 168-173
Author(s):  
T. Cvetanov
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Alternative Analysis ◽  
Nutritional Habits ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
And Behavior

Obesity is one of the most widespread diseases of our days .Because of its wild distribution not only among adults but also among children, adolescents and young people, the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) include it in the list of socially and medically significant diseases with serious effects on human health. The factors for its etiology and development are complex, but the most authors identify the unhealthy nutritional habits and lack of regular physical activity as leading ones. The purpose of this study was to reveal the most common causes of weight increase above its normal levels in medical students. Material and methods. The study included 120 students from the Medical Faculty of the Thracian university -Stara Zagora. They carried out an individual anonymous questionnaire, with a total of 21 questions – closed, open and mixed, which aim was to reveal some of the possible causes leading to excess weight in the contingent studied. Methods used: Research and analysis of information sources, survey sociological method, alternative analysis. Results and discussion. In that report we will analyse the answers to those questions concerning the nutritional habits and behaviour of the respondents. It turns out that among the most common reasons for increasing body weight above the normal range is the presence of a number of unhealthy nutritional habits, such as the intake of high-energy food products of low biological value, the intake of a higher amount of food/overeating/and irregular eating. Conclusion. Based on the research carried out, we can summarize that a large number of the students surveyed demonstrate a good knowledge about the healthy and balanced nutrition, but unfortunately most of them do not follow it because of their dynamic and strenuous daily life, and this in combination with the decreased habitual physical activity will inevitably lead to an increased body weight.

scholarly journals Determinants of Overweight and Obesity Among Adolescent Students in Public Secondary Schools in Kwara State, Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. J Lateef ◽  
E Njogu ◽  
F. Kiplamai ◽  
U. S Haruna ◽  
R. A Lawal
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
World Health ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Adolescent Students ◽  
Health Organization

Adolescents and childhood overweight and obesity have been observed as one of the serious public health challenges of the 21st century by World Health Organization. This study identified the determinants of overweight and obesity among adolescents in public schools in Kwara state, Nigeria. Multistage and stratified sampling techniques were used to randomly select 515 participants which comprised of 343 girls and 172 boys aged (10-19) years in 8 public secondary schools from 32 schools in 2 zonal inspectorate divisions. Data was collected using modified Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Digital bathroom scale and stadiometer were used to measure weight and height of the participants. (SPSS, Version 20) and WHO Anthroplus were used to analyze the data Overall prevalence of overweight is (4.7%) and obesity (0.2%), while prevalence for male and female overweight (0.6%, 6.7%) and obesity (0%, 0.3%) respectively. Calculated mean BMI for age of the participants was (19.72± 2.62) kg/m2. Overweight and obesity were positive but weakly correlated to food consumption (FC) of participants (r= 0.012), however the relationship was significant (p< 0.001). Furthermore, overweight and obesity were negatively correlated with no significance to the physical activity level of participants (r=-0.105). Participants need to consume more of low calorie foods such as fruits and vegetables and should also engage in more physical activity practices such as aerobics to lower overweight and obesity prevalence.

scholarly journals 3D-based visual physical activity assessment of children

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 462-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Maile ◽  
S. Kobel ◽  
M. Munz ◽  
T. Engleder ◽  
J. M. Steinacker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Test Person ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Physical Activity Assessment ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Assessment ◽  
Acceleration Data

AbstractIn the last decades, an alarming rise in prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has been observed which is partly attributed to a lack in physical activity and has started to become a public health concern. Therefore, the necessity for accurate physical activity assessment has become more and more apparent. Physical activity can be assessed objectively using accelerometers or combined devices. The application of such devices is sometimes complex and wearing the device may influence the behaviour of the test person. Therefore, assessment without any worn device would be an advantage.A RGB-D camera device captures motion of the test person in a specific measurement area. After reducing the data and subtraction of the voxel distance, an activity level can be calculated.The calculated activity level is similar to acceleration data of common monitoring devices. The calculated activity level is the sum of the person’s activity. Little activity with small movement can be differentiated from intense activity with large movement and high acceleration as well as no activity. The data can be structured in body-activity and limb-activity. Classifying those categories increases the benefit of this assessment compared to common accelerometers.With the RGB-D based assessment objective, contextual information of different physical activity levels can be provided. Physical activity assessment without a worn device offers advantages such as the lack of manipulation of the device and its positioning, also the person’s compliance is no issue influencing the assessment. The RGB-D based assessment is similar to acceleration data and can be converted into comparable data and units after calibration. For more specific assessments a validation with accelerometers and the calibration of the derived data is necessary.

scholarly journals Program Obesity Zero (POZ) – a community-based intervention to address overweight primary-school children from five Portuguese municipalities

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1043-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Isabel Rito ◽  
Maria Ana Carvalho ◽  
Carlos Ramos ◽  
João Breda
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity

AbstractObjectiveResults of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative indicated that on average one out of four primary-school children is overweight or obese. Portugal presented one of the highest prevalences of obesity. Childhood obesity prevention and treatment should be a top priority. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Program Obesity Zero (POZ), a multi-component, community-, family- and school-based childhood obesity intervention.DesignParents and children attended four individual nutrition and physical activity counselling sessions, a one-day healthy cooking workshop and two school extracurricular sessions of nutrition education. Waist circumference, BMI, physical activity level, sedentary behaviours, and nutrition and physical activity knowledge, attitudes and behaviour were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. Diet was assessed using two 24 h recalls, at baseline and at 6 months.SettingFive Portuguese municipalities and local communities.SubjectsTwo hundred and sixty-six overweight children (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) aged 6–10 years, from low-income families in five Portuguese municipalities, were assigned to the intervention.ResultsChildren showed reductions in waist circumference (−2·0 cm; P < 0·0001), mean BMI (−0·7 kg/m2; P < 0·0001) and BMI-for-age percentile (−1·7; P < 0·0001) at 6 months. Overall, children's intake of fruit and vegetables was <400 g/d throughout the intervention. After 6 months, higher fibre consumption and an apparent decrease in sugary soft drinks intake to a quarter of that observed at baseline (mean intake: 198 ml/d at baseline), with improvements in physical activity levels and screen time <2 h/d, were also observed.ConclusionsThe findings suggested that POZ is a promising intervention programme, at municipality level, to tackle childhood overweight and obesity.

scholarly journals The Relationships between Park Quality, Park Usage, and Levels of Physical Activity in Low-Income, African American Neighborhoods

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Knapp ◽  
Jeanette Gustat ◽  
Revonda Darensbourg ◽  
Leann Myers ◽  
Carolyn Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
African American ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Settings ◽  
Park Use ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Park Quality

Parks can be an important, low-cost neighborhood resource to increase physical activity and reduce overweight and obesity. The quality of parks, however, may impact use. This study used observational data to examine the relationships between park quality, park usage and levels of physical activity among users in 31 parks within low-income, African American neighborhoods. Relationships between park use and park characteristics (signs of disorder, attractiveness, and number of activity settings) varied by gender and user activity level. No variables of interest were significant for overall number of male users; whereas, disorder and attractiveness were significant for overall number of female users. Parks with signs of disorder were associated with 49% fewer female users (IRR = 0.51, 95% CI = (0.34–0.77)) and attractive parks with 146% more female users (IRR = 2.46, 95% CI = (1.39–4.33)). Similar significant relationships were found among active but not sedentary female users. Communities may consider increasing park maintenance and addressing attractiveness in existing parks as a relatively low-cost environmental strategy to encourage park use, increase physical activity, and reduce the burden of obesity, especially among women in low-income, African-American communities.

scholarly journals The impact of physical activity and exercise on obesity

2016 ◽  
pp. 130-136
Author(s):  
Farid Mouissi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Fat Distribution ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
The Body ◽  
World Health ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Physical Activity And Exercise ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction: The health benefits of regular physical activity alone are real, and the World Health Organisation has afforded great importance to the issue of obesity, and considers it to be an epidemic, which is threatening global health. Despite the fact that the subject of obesity emerged in developed countries, Arab countries began experiencing this phenomenon, due to changes in lifestyle among its citizens. Physical activity may favourably affect body fat distribution. Our study aims to study the impact of physical activity and exercise on obesity. Method: The research sample was 165 adolescents with an average age of 17.8 years old. A questionnaire was used to estimate physical activity and exercise. The body mass index (BMI) is used to determine obesity. Result: The results of the study indicated that there is a relationship between physical activity and exercise and obesity, and also between the amount of exercise and type of physical activity and obesity. Conclusion: Physical activity and exercise have an impact on obesity. Through the study results, we recommend the importance of physical activity and exercise for teenagers, because the continuous practice of physical activity reduces obesity. Keywords: obesity, physical activity and exercise, adolescence.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity, and Associations with Socio-Demographic Factors in Kuwait

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor M Oguoma ◽  
Neil Coffee ◽  
Saad Alsharrah ◽  
Mohamed Abu-Farha ◽  
Faisal H Al-Refaei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Obesity ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors

Abstract Background: Kuwait is amongst countries in the Gulf region with high income economy. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in five adults in the Gulf region is obese. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of both overweight and obesity, and their relationships with socio-demographic factors, in Kuwait.Methods:A population-based survey of diabetes and obesity in Kuwait – part of the Kuwait Diabetes Epidemiology Program – was conducted between 2011-2013, targeting adults aged 18-82 years using the WHO STEPwise approach to non-communicable disease surveillance. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated to classify overweight and obesity, and waist circumference (WC) used to expressed central obesity. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate relationships between socio-demographic factors, overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), obesity (≥30.0 kg/m2) or central obesity (WC≥80cm women; WC≥94cm men).Results:Records for gender (57% Men), age, BMI, governorate and nationality existed for 4963 individuals. Mean age and BMI were 43 years and 30kg/m2, respectively. Non-Kuwaiti nationals were more prevalent than Kuwaitis (87% vs 13%). Prevalence rates for overweight, obesity and central obesity were 38% (95%CI: 37-40%), 42% (95%CI: 41-44%) and 75% (95%CI: 73-76%), respectively. The youngest age group (18-29 years) had rates of 33% (95%CI: 28-39%), 25% (95%CI: 20-30%) and 49% (95%CI:43-55%) for overweight, obesity and central obesity, respectively. In covariate-adjusted analyses, the odds of being overweight was 23% greater for men than for women. Conversely, women had a 29% (95%CI: 4-60%) and 6-fold (95%CI: 5-9-fold) greater odds of obesity/central obesity, respectively, than men. Greater educational attainment, physical activity, and non-Kuwaiti status were associated with lower odds of obesity/central obesity. History of smoking, elevated blood pressure, higher income, being married, greater age and female sex related to greater odds of obesity/central obesity.Conclusion:Overweight was greater in men, obesity greater in women. Overweight and obesity prevalence were high in young adults ages 18-29 years, a significant public health concern. Efforts to integrate mandatory physical education to the school curriculum and promoting the creation of recreation spaces/parks to promote physical activities, will play a vital role in the early prevention of overweight/obesity in Kuwait.

scholarly journals Body composition outcomes of Healthy Fit and the role of acculturation among low-income Hispanics on the US-Mexico border

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane I. Lopez ◽  
Lauren Chacon ◽  
Denise Vasquez ◽  
Louis D. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Mexico Border

Abstract Background Hispanic immigrants continue to experience higher rates of overweight and obesity compared to their non-Hispanic counterparts. Acculturation may contribute to unhealthy weight gain among immigrant populations by shifting dietary patterns from high fruit and vegetable consumption to unhealthier high fat diets. Healthy Fit, a culturally tailored community health worker (CHW) intervention, aims to reduce obesity related outcomes by providing physical activity and nutrition education and resources in a low-income Hispanic population. This study aims to evaluate outcomes of Healthy Fit participants and examine changes in body composition in relation to level of acculturation at baseline and follow-up. Method In this longitudinal observational study, CHWs recruited 514 participants from community events and agencies serving low-income Hispanic populations in El Paso, Texas from 2015 to 2016. Following an in-person health screening, eligible participants received nutrition and physical activity education guided by fotonovelas, comic-like educational books. Telephone follow-ups made at 1, 3, and 6 months by CHWs encouraged follow-through on referrals. 288 participants completed the screening again during the 12-month follow-up. Results The sample was predominantly Hispanic (96%), female (82%), uninsured (79%), had a household income of less than $19,999 (70%), foreign-born (79%), preferred Spanish (86%) and few rated themselves as good or excellent for English proficiency (27%). Overall, Healthy Fit participants significantly improved (i.e., decreased) BFP by 0.71% (t = 2.47, p = 0.01) but not BMI (b = .01, t = − 0.14, p = .89). Contrary to expectations, acculturation was not associated with lower BMI (b = 0.09, p = 0.84) or BFP (b = 0.13, p = 0.85) at baseline. However, acculturation predicted changes in both BMI (b = 0.30, p = 0.03) and BFP (b = 1.33, p = 0 .01) from baseline to follow-up. Specifically, the low acculturation group improved in body composition measures over time and the high acculturation group did not improve in either measure. Conclusion Findings suggest Healthy Fit was most effective among less acculturated individuals. The influence of acculturation on the efficacy of nutrition and exercise interventions suggests that Hispanics should not be treated as a homogenous subgroup.

scholarly journals Understanding Leisure Centre-Based Physical Activity after Physical Activity Referral: Evidence from Scheme Participants and Completers in Northumberland UK

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2957
Author(s):  
Jordan Bell ◽  
Lis Neubeck ◽  
Kai Jin ◽  
Paul Kelly ◽  
Coral L. Hanson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Administrative Data ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Ordinal Regression ◽  
World Health ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
The World ◽  
The Uk

Physical activity referral schemes (PARS) are a popular physical activity (PA) intervention in the UK. Little is known about the type, intensity and duration of PA undertaken during and post PARS. We calculated weekly leisure centre-based moderate/vigorous PA for PARS participants (n = 448) and PARS completers (n = 746) in Northumberland, UK, between March 2019–February 2020 using administrative data. We categorised activity levels (<30 min/week, 30–149 min/week and ≥150 min/week) and used ordinal regression to examine predictors for activity category achieved. PARS participants took part in a median of 57.0 min (IQR 26.0–90.0) and PARS completers a median of 68.0 min (IQR 42.0–100.0) moderate/vigorous leisure centre-based PA per week. Being a PARS completer (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.61–2.82) was a positive predictor of achieving a higher level of physical activity category compared to PARS participants. Female PARS participants were less likely (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43–0.97) to achieve ≥30 min of moderate/vigorous LCPA per week compared to male PARS participants. PARS participants achieved 38.0% and PARS completers 45.3% of the World Health Organisation recommended ≥150 min of moderate/vigorous weekly PA through leisure centre use. Strategies integrated within PARS to promote PA outside of leisure centre-based activity may help participants achieve PA guidelines.

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