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New direction needed for obesity research, Deakin health expert claims
May 21, 2009Most of the current obesity research is not proving helpful in finding solutions to the growing international epidemic, according to a Deakin University public health expert.
Professor Boyd Swinburn believes that research funding would be better directed at testing possible solutions rather than continuing to unpick what is causing the rise in obesity.
"It seems counter intuitive, but knowing the causes or mechanisms for weight gain does not always help with identifying the solutions," he said.
"For an individual person, we know the causes of weight gain over time include the obesogenic environment, genetic predisposition, and increasing age - none of which can be influenced by the health professional trying to help the person lose weight. At a population level, the commercial drivers which promote our overconsumption of food are unlikely to be reversed by the private sector because there is no commercial gain for the food industry to promote eating fewer calories.
"The twin bottom line is that we need to re-orient our research towards testing potential solutions rather than just better identifying the problem. The most promising approaches for individuals and populations will involve identifying the right set of 'rules' or policies which lead to sustainable environmental and behavioural changes."
Professor Swinburn says that identifying solutions needs specific solutions-oriented research and unfortunately most of the current research into obesity is problem-oriented.
"Interestingly, the solutions that are the most likely to work seem to be 'rule-based' solutions," Professor Swinburn explained.
"For overweight individuals, so long as they can stick to a set of dietary rules which results in a reduced calorie intake, it doesn't seem to matter what foods are included or excluded. This is why lots of different types of diets which are unrelated to the dietary causes of weight gain can produce weight loss.
"Similarly, at a population level, it is likely that rules or policies are likely to be the most promising for prevention. Education, guidelines, industry self-regulation, and government ads on TV are unlikely to have much influence and stronger policies will be needed."
Professor Swinburn will be speaking about the causes of the current obesity epidemic and potential solutions today (Thursday 21 May) at the Public Health Association of Australia ACT Branch's Sax Oration in Canberra.
Research Australia
"For an individual person, we know the causes of weight gain over time include the obesogenic environment, genetic predisposition, and increasing age - none of which can be influenced by the health professional trying to help the person lose weight. At a population level, the commercial drivers which promote our overconsumption of food are unlikely to be reversed by the private sector because there is no commercial gain for the food industry to promote eating fewer calories.
"The twin bottom line is that we need to re-orient our research towards testing potential solutions rather than just better identifying the problem. The most promising approaches for individuals and populations will involve identifying the right set of 'rules' or policies which lead to sustainable environmental and behavioural changes."
Professor Swinburn says that identifying solutions needs specific solutions-oriented research and unfortunately most of the current research into obesity is problem-oriented.
"Interestingly, the solutions that are the most likely to work seem to be 'rule-based' solutions," Professor Swinburn explained.
"For overweight individuals, so long as they can stick to a set of dietary rules which results in a reduced calorie intake, it doesn't seem to matter what foods are included or excluded. This is why lots of different types of diets which are unrelated to the dietary causes of weight gain can produce weight loss.
"Similarly, at a population level, it is likely that rules or policies are likely to be the most promising for prevention. Education, guidelines, industry self-regulation, and government ads on TV are unlikely to have much influence and stronger policies will be needed."
Professor Swinburn will be speaking about the causes of the current obesity epidemic and potential solutions today (Thursday 21 May) at the Public Health Association of Australia ACT Branch's Sax Oration in Canberra.
Research Australia
Obesity Research Current Events and Obesity Research News RSSMSU researcher: Obesity significantly cuts odds of successful pregnancy
Obese women are as much as 28 percent less likely to become pregnant and have a successful pregnancy, according to research that earned a Michigan State University professor a national award.
Caltech researchers pinpoint neurons that control obesity in fruit flies
A team of scientists from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have pinpointed two groups of neurons in fruit fly brains that have the ability to sense and manipulate the fly's fat stores in much the same way as do neurons in the mammalian brain.
Certain behavioral traits and feeding practices may increase risk for weight gain in children
Many clinicians and public health officials view parental involvement as an essential part of solving the current childhood obesity epidemic.
NIH study finds low short-term risks after bariatric surgery for extreme obesity
Short-term complications and death rates were low following bariatric surgery to limit the amount of food that can enter the stomach, decrease absorption of food or both, according to the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS-1).
USC researchers present new strategies to prevent childhood obesity
Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) will present new findings and strategies for combating childhood obesity at the 5th Biennial Childhood Obesity Conference being held June 9-12 in Los Angeles.
More than a bad night's sleep
Sleep apnea has long been known to be associated with obesity. But a new study published in the June issue of Diabetes Care finds that the disorder is widely undiagnosed among obese individuals with type 2 diabetes - nearly 87 percent of participants reported symptoms, but were never diagnosed.
New obesity staging system may help doctors measure up
A new system proposed by Canadian and US obesity researchers may provide another weapon in the battle against obesity. University of Alberta obesity expert Dr. Arya Sharma, along with a researcher from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, has proposed a classification system to help doctors assess and treat overweight patients.
When it's not just baby weight
Body image is a tricky thing for many women. Like looking into a funhouse mirror, the way they perceive their bodies can make them think they're thinner or more obese than they actually are.
Corner stores capture kids on morning commute
In most cities, the corner store, with its chips, soda and candy, is ubiquitous. Convenient for the neighborhood residents, but also researchers are discovering, a major snack source for school age children.
How much are you really exercising?
People struggling with obesity often underestimate how many calories they are actually consuming, which can hinder weight loss efforts. It should follow that the same person would overestimate the amount of exercise they're doing, right?
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