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Nutrition in Practice
Preventing childhood obesity - how much do we know?
Sigrid Gibson MA MSc RPHNutr
Child obesity has become the major medical “angst” of the year and an increasingly political issue. Alongside serious research has been much peddling of myths and misquotes, such as the assertion that “this will be the first generation of children to die before their parents”. This article is a personal perspective on some current concerns about the prevalence, causes and prevention of obesity.
8.3 - December 2007
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Diet and diabesity
Dr Neville H McClenaghan
The rise in incidence of diabetes and obesity poses a considerable concern for the health professions. This worrying trend prompts the need for new and more effective strategies to curb the so-called ‘diabesity’ epidemic, which represents a considerable global healthcare challenge. While genetic susceptibility to energy storage (the so-called ‘thrifty’ genotype) may underlie diabesity, it is becoming increasingly evident that environmental (acquired) factors are a major driving force.
8.2 - July 2007
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Snacking and weight control
Dr Sandra Drummond
The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in many countries worldwide. In the UK, Government recommendations to improve the nation’s diet with respect to a range of health issues are well documented, and include a reduction in dietary fats and sugars, an increase in complex carbohydrates and fibre such as whole grain cereals, fruits and vegetables and to reduce intakes of salt. In addition, common public health messages to maintain a healthy body weight, and to promote weight loss in the overweight and obese, include the advice to reduce snacking between meals. The effect of ‘snacking’ or ‘frequent eating’ on body weight control has been the focus of much research over the last 30-40 years, and continues to be so. This paper will focus on the evidence to date on the role of snacking or increased eating frequency in body weight control.
8.1 - March 2007
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Carbohydrates and cognition
Professor David Benton
Traditionally, homeostatic mechanisms have been thought to ensure that the brain is adequately supplied with glucose. More recently it has been found that the extent to which blood glucose is released following a meal influences cognition. The possible implications for the diet of both children and adults are therefore considered.
7.3 - November 2006
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Energy density and weight control
S Whybrow and RJ Stubbs
It is frequently suggested that the high energy density of many foods is the major factor causing us to become overweight. It follows, therefore, that lowering the energy density of the diet may help to lower energy intake and result in weight loss, or limit weight gain.
7.2 - July 2006
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Treatment of obesity in childhood and adolescence
Dr John J Reilly
There is a great deal of public and political concern over the obesity epidemic in children and adolescents. Children and adolescents who are obese are presenting in ever increasing number for treatment.
7.1 - March 2006
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