ERIC Number: EJ720616
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Apr
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1082-1651
EISSN: N/A
The Role of FCS in the Obesity Epidemic. Supporting Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Yadrick, Kathleen
Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, v97 n2 p8-12 Apr 2005
Individuals are bombarded every day with data on obesity and its health consequences, with information on weight loss treatments and their successes and failures, and with tips on how to reduce caloric intake and increase physical activity. Obesity has become a global epidemic, termed globesity (World Health Organization, 2003), and seen by many in the U.S. as a major public health crisis (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2001; Mokdad et al., 1999; Nestle & Jacobson, 2000). By now, the statistics are familiar. Nearly 50 million adults, almost one-third of the adult population, are obese, and 16% of children are overweight. Equally alarming are the rates at which overweight and obesity have increased in recent years, leading to both public and private sector efforts to better understand and address the problem. This feature article discusses the Body Mass Index (the method by which weight status is determined), and the relationship between weight status and chronic disease. Factors that contribute to the obesity epidemic, i.e., increased food supply, larger portion sizes, food advertising, lack of or limited physical activity, and suburban land use patterns that create reliance on automobile transportation, are also addressed.
Descriptors: Public Health, Life Style, Physical Activity Level, Eating Habits, Consumer Science, Obesity, Child Health, Body Composition, Health Behavior, Chronic Illness
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 400 North Columbus Street, Suite 202, Alexandria, VA 22314. Tel: 703-706-4600.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A