It takes a village to prevent obesity
Obesity is increasing worldwide, and efforts to treat obesity are ineffective in the long term. Therefore, the focus shifts to public health treatment to prevent obesity. So far, very little research has been done in this area, but a new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) says that to prevent weight gain, everyone needs a little support from the community.
Many experts in weight loss and life advice for people wishing to lose weight to involve family and friends as a support system, but the BMJ study is among the first to quantify the role of a support sites system in the prevention of weight gain and changes in lifestyle. The study evaluated 250 mothers of young children in a community in Australia. Initially, the average age of mothers was 40 years and body mass index was 28. (A BMI between 25 and 30 were classified as “overweight.”) The women were assigned to an intervention group or a control group, based in the schools their children attend.
The intervention group attended four group sessions that provide interactive information strategies for healthy living to improve health habits, and group discussions. The intervention group also received support, personalized text messages each month. The control group attended a non-interactive conference that presented the population according to dietary guidelines and physical activity. After 12 months, weight changes were compared between the two groups as well as cholesterol and glucose levels, dietary habits, physical activity and self-management behavior. In general, women in the control group gained 0.83 kg (1.83 pounds) while the intervention group lost 0.20 kg (0.44 pounds). The intervention group also improved cholesterol profiles, dietary habits and activity levels. This group also expressed more confidence in weight control than the control group.
Preventing weight gain is an important step in reducing the burden of chronic diseases associated with obesity. The World Health Organization promotes the teaching of weight control early on so young adults, even those with a body mass index and in good health. Women, especially young mothers, are particularly vulnerable to weight gain in early adulthood because of pregnancy and changes in lifestyle associated with marriage and family. (Estimates suggest that women gain about a pound per year in adulthood.) Perhaps most importantly, these women influence health behaviors and eating habits of their families, which in turn can lead children become obese later in adulthood. The main obstacle to the achievement of young mothers and make change in your diet and activity levels is the time. Mothers of young children are perhaps one of the busiest people in a community and their own health and welfare often the background to the needs of the rest of the family.
The response rate for the BMJ study was only 12%, similar to other programs in community-based intervention. However, women who participated achieved significant results, prompting the question of how mothers go to work (or anyone) to participate in a program that focuses on weight? The effort to effectively teach people about healthy eating and lifestyles are probably much less than the multitude of time and resources to treat obesity. From the standpoint of public health and prevention of obesity is greater than any treatment option.
The new study shows that a program of community-based low intensity to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent weight gain may be an effective tool to meet the needs of the world’s health more. The conclusion is that nobody can do it alone. (If they could, there would be no obesity epidemic.) Simple tools for education, with accountability and support of the community, can offer women the confidence to make healthy choices for themselves and their families.
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