Lifestyle and Obesity in South Pacific Youth PDF Download

Author: Jennifer Utter
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780473141936
Category : Obesity in adolescence
Languages : en
Pages : 40

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Author: John David Sluyter
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Lifestyles
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
Obesity prevalence among Pacific Island adolescents is high and is a major health concern. In view of this, obesity interventions targeted at this group are urgently required. However, evidence of suitable intervention strategies for this population is lacking. In addition, it is not clear how well measures of obesity that can be used in the field setting quantify fatness in South Pacific youth. To address these gaps of knowledge in the literature, this thesis aimed to examine the association between lifestyle risk factors of obesity and body composition variables in this population (Obesity Prevention In Communities (OPIC) study). To assist this objective, a second aim of this thesis was to examine the relationship between fatness estimated by field methods (anthropometric and bioimpedance analysis (BIA) variables) and measured by an accepted reference method in South Pacific youth (validation study). In the validation study, 432 adolescents (Pacific Island, Maori, Asian and European) were purposively selected from high schools in Auckland. Anthropometric variables were measured, impedance variables were measured on an 8-electrode BIA (BIA8) device (Tanita BC-418; Tanita, Tokyo, Japan) and body composition variables were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In the OPIC study, data were collected from >17,000 students from 4 countries (New Zealand (NZ), Australia, Fiji and Tonga) and 8 ethnic groups (NZ Pacific Island, NZ Maori, NZ Asian, NZ European, Indigenous Fijian, Fijian Indian and Tongan), which comprised information on demographic, lifestyle and body composition variables. Results from the validation study showed that, compared to Europeans, for the same body mass index (BMI), Asian Indians had more percent body fat (%BF), while Maori and Pacific Islanders had less %BF. In boys, readily measured variables, waist circumference/height and conicity index, had notable effects on the %BF ethnic differences. Other factors that contributed to these differences in boys and girls were variation in muscularity, bone mass, fat distribution and relative leg length. BIA8 estimated DXA-measured total fat mass (TFM), %BF and fat-free mass with significant bias. BIAbased prediction equations developed in the sample performed better than reliance on the manufacturer's equations and these equations depended upon ethnicity. For the same waist circumference (WC), compared to Europeans and Maori, Asians had more percent abdominal fat (%AbFM) and Pacific Islanders had less %AbFM. Adjustment for trunk impedance (ZTr) removed or reduced these %AbFM differences. In fact, at a given WC, ethnic differences in ZTr mirrored variation in %AbFM across ethnic groups. OPIC analyses revealed that Pacific Islanders had markedly higher fatness levels than other groups, including when %BF, TFM and %AbFM were used as fatness measures. Among all ethnic groups combined, TV watching was positively related to fatness in a dose-dependent manner. Overall effects showed strong, dose-dependent associations between fatness and soft drink consumption (positive relationship), breakfast consumption (inverse relationship) and after-school physical activity (inverse relationship). Differences in lifestyle obesity risk factors were associated with percentage differences in body composition variables that were greatest for TFM, followed by %BF and then BMI. This thesis supports the view that TV watching, soft drink consumption, breakfast consumption and physical inactivity contribute to increased obesity prevalence among Pacific Island youth. Body composition (DXA-measured fatness) notably varies at a given body size. Consistent with this, and an original finding, is that lifestyle factors are most strongly related to TFM and %BF, suggesting that obesity interventions and studies that use only BMI to quantify fatness may underestimate the "true" effect of lifestyle on adiposity.

Author: Luis A. Moreno
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441960392
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 502

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Despite adults’ best preventive efforts, childhood obesity is on the rise in most areas of the world, and with it the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and other formerly adult-onset conditions. Epidemiology of Obesity in Children and Adolescents takes the global ecological approach that is needed to understand the scope of the problem and its multiple causes and mechanisms, and to aid in developing more effective prevention and intervention programs. In the book’s first half, experts present a descriptive summary of youth obesity trends in ten world regions, broken down by age group, gender, socioeconomic status, and risk factors. Complementing these findings, part two reviews the evidence base regarding the variables, separately and in combination, having the most significant impact on young people’s development of obesity, including: • Genetic and nutrigenomic factors. • Environmental and psychosocial factors, such as family shopping and eating habits and access to healthful foods. • Neuroendocrine regulation. • Prenatal and neonatal factors (e.g., gestational diabetes of the mother). • Dietary factors, from nutrient content to young people’s food preferences. • Physical activity versus sedentary behavior. Epidemiology of Obesity in Children and Adolescents is necessary reading for the range of professionals involved in curtailing this epidemic, including public health specialists, epidemiologists, pediatricians, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists, health educators, and policymakers.

Author: James M. Rippe
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1439845425
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 1633

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There is no doubt that daily habits and actions exert a profound health impact. The fact that nutritional practices, level of physical activity, weight management, and other behaviors play key roles both in the prevention and treatment of most metabolic diseases has been recognized by their incorporation into virtually every evidence-based medical guideline. Despite this widespread recognition, physicians and other healthcare workers often cannot find a definitive and comprehensive source of information on all of these areas. Designed for physicians and other health care workers, Lifestyle Medicine, Second Edition brings together evidence-based research in multiple health-related fields to assist practitioners both in treating disease and promoting good health. Sections cover nutrition and exercise, behavioral psychology, public policy, and management of a range of disorders, including cardiovascular disease, endocrine and metabolic dysfunction, obesity, cancer, immunology and infectious diseases, pulmonary disorders, and many more.

Author: Laurette Dube
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080922090
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 832

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Over the years, approaches to obesity prevention and treatment have gone from focusing on genetic and other biological factors to exploring a diversity of diets and individual behavior modification interventions anchored primarily in the power of the mind, to the recent shift focusing on societal interventions to design "temptation-proof" physical, social, and economic environments. In spite of repeated calls to action, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO), the pandemic continues to progress. WHO recently projected that if the current lifestyle trend in young and adult populations around the world persist, by 2012 in countries like the USA, health care costs may amount to as much as 17.7% of the GDP. Most importantly, in large part due to the problems of obesity, those children may be the first generation ever to have a shorter life expectancy than that of their parents. Obesity Prevention presents the most current research and proposals for addressing the pandemic. Past studies have focused primarly on either genetic or behavioral causes for obesity, however today's research indicates that a strongly integrated program is the best prospect for success in overcoming obesity. Furthermore, focus on the role of society in establishing an affordable, accessible and sustainable program for implementing these lifestyle changes is vital, particularly for those in economically challenged situations, who are ultimately at the highest risk for obesity. Using studies from both neuroscience and behavioral science to present a comprehensive overview of the challenges and possible solutions, The brain-to-society approach to obesity prevention focuses on what is needed in order to sustain a healthy, pleasurable and affordable lifestyle. Explores the "brain-to-society" approach to obesity prevention, focusing on an integrative approach to addressing the obesity pandemic Presents both the nueroscientific and the behavioral factors that impact eating habits Identifies the challenges and suggests solutions for altering attitudes toward food on both an individual and a societal level

Author:
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0124165729
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 246

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Advances in Food and Nutrition Research recognizes the integral relationship between the food and nutritional sciences and brings together outstanding and comprehensive reviews that highlight this relationship. Contributions detail scientific developments in the broad areas of food science and nutrition and are intended to provide those in academia and industry with the latest information on emerging research in these constantly evolving sciences. The latest important information for food scientists and nutritionists Peer-reviewed articles by a panel of respected scientists The go-to series since 1948

Author: Jennifer A. O'Dea
Publisher:
ISBN: 0199572917
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 447

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Childhood obesity is an international public health concern, with a high profile in both the media and government policy. Controversial issues in the prevention of childhood obesity need to be considered early in the development of school, clinical or community prevention programs, as these issues are often the ones that promote the success or failure of attempts to ameliorate the problem at hand. This book combines health education theory, research, and practice to guide researchers, students, educators, community health workers and practitioners in the prevention of childhood obesity and the promotion of child and adolescent health and well-being. It examines controversy in childhood obesity, including the link with poverty and the difficulty of addressing obesity whilst also tackling the issue of eating disorders. The prevalence of childhood obesity is covered, with international chapters examining the importance of factors such as social class and ethnic differences, and global and local trends are identified. Approaches to prevention are presented, and the book concludes with the successful outcome of various interventions, demonstrating how the whole school community can collaborate to promote health among young people.

Author: Tasileta Teevale
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Lifestyles
Languages : en
Pages : 588

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The purpose of this thesis was to explore socio-cultural factors that may promote or prevent obesity in Pacific communities residing in New Zealand. Specific objectives were to describe the behaviours, knowledge, beliefs and values of Pacific adolescents and their parents, as related to food consumption, physical activity and body image and to compare the responses of obese Pacific adolescents and their parents to their non-obese or healthy weight counterparts. A mixed-methods approach was utilised to gather data. Information was collected from a questionnaire administered to 4215 students who participated in the New Zealand arm of the Obesity Prevention In Communities (OPIC) project and sixty-eight individuals (33 students and 35 parents) from 30 Pacific households participated in individual interviews as part of the qualitative phase of the study. To meet the comparative objectives of the study, Pacific adolescents were recruited by obese (n=16) and healthy weight (n=17) status. The outcome of the analysis found that cost and affordability of food, time-constraints through employment obligations and lack of health education or experience negatively affected the health-promoting behaviours of Pacific adolescents and their parents (i.e. not meeting the current guidelines for healthy eating and regular physical activity). Healthy weight Pacific adolescents were significantly more active, consumed fruit and vegetables regularly and had habitual levels of breakfast and lunch consumption compared to obese Pacific adolescents. Obese adolescents were inactive, had takeaway family meals more often and skipped breakfast and lunch meals more frequently. Obese adolescents were also dissatisfied with their body weight, received more parental encouragement to lose weight and engaged in weight control behaviours more than the healthy weight cohort. Healthy weight adolescents and parents seemed to have more health-related knowledge and experience than obese adolescents and parents. There were no differences in the knowledge, values and beliefs about the health-protective effects of food and regular physical activity between obese and healthy weight Pacific adolescents and their parents. There was sound knowledge observed in the link between food and particular eating habits, physical inactivity and body size to obesity risk and study participants desired to increase their healthful behaviours, particularly amongst the obese. The key difference between healthy weight and obese adolescent households was in parental presence at home. Healthy weight adolescents came from households that were more likely to have a full-time or part-time parent at home. While obese adolescents were more likely to come from households that had both parents working full-time, particularly for sustained periods of time in shift-type working arrangements. Furthermore, all students and parents perceived overweight and underweight bodies undesirable for adverse health consequences, suggesting they understand the link between obesity and health. Most students and parents desired average-sized bodies that were functional, i.e. for adolescents, bodies that could be competent in sports and dance, for Pacific adults, bodies that could achieve daily tasks like housework, childrearing and meeting the needs of the family were desired and valued. This thesis finds that socio-environmental influences like socio-economic position, occupational type, health education and experience were much more instrumental influencers on health behaviours than socio-cultural factors. Attitudes, values and beliefs about food, physical activity and body image, which were comparable between obese and non-obese Pacific adolescents and their parents, were not as influential on health behaviours. Obese adolescents held the same attitudes, beliefs and values about food, physical activity and body image as their healthy-weight counterparts, but these factors were not protective for obesity-risk. To address obesity in Pacific youth in New Zealand, a number of macro-environmental changes are recommended to reverse obesity trends. Developing food pricing control policies to mitigate healthy food costs, revising sustained employment hour policies, making changes to school food and physical activity environments and incentivising healthy workplaces are some suggestions. This study suggests certain structural environmental factors related to poverty affects the health-promoting behaviours of Pacific communities in New Zealand. Future obesity intervention efforts for Pacific groups need to address poverty status and specific interventions that prioritise the elements of motivation, self-esteem, self-confidence and life-skills training as well as making policy changes to structural barriers is likely to be more effective.

Author: World Health Organization
Publisher: World Health Organisation (Who)
ISBN: 9789290610441
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 63

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This paper attempts to collect documented evidence to examine the relationship between the food supply, dietary patterns and obesity in Pacific countries. It draws on dietary studies and reviews undertaken over the last 80 years and documented accounts of diets since evidence or food crop consumption in the Pacific was established over 28 000 years ago. Section 1 gives a short account of obesity, emphasizing that it is a growing epidemic that has affected urban communities. Section 2 discusses and defines a healthy diet for a population. In section 3, a view of food consumption patterns is given from Pacific pre-civilization and pre-European contact times to show the conservative and homogeneous nature of Pacific communities. Pacific dietary studies are reviewed in section 4, with emphasis on the contributions of micronutrients to energy. The section starts with individual country data, listing countries alphabetically. The food supply is then examined and analyzed, with data from FAO Food Balance Sheets from seven Pacific countries. This section ends with a short account of food dependence. Conclusions are then given in section 5. There is a large reference list, and food supply data are provided in the Annexes.

Author: Laurence Macia
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 288974146X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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