Introduction

Kopelman, P., Hughes, A., Hankey, C., Lean, M. , Gahagan, A. and Stewart, L. (2018) Introduction. In: Hankey, C. and Whelan, K. (eds.) Advanced Nutrition and Dietetics in Obesity. Series: Advanced nutrition and dietetics (BDA). Wiley: Hoboken, NJ, pp. 1-37. ISBN 9780470670767 (doi: 10.1002/9781118857991.ch1)

Abstract

This chapter discusses how to define obesity in children for epidemiological purposes to monitor and compare prevalence at the population level. The increasing problem of overweight and obesity in children and adults highlight the limits of personal responsibility when considering daily food consumption. Obesity and overweight are persistent conditions and are compounded by the gradual age-dependant involuntary weight gain that occurs in adulthood. In order to understand the unconscious weight gain, the chapter addresses the key risk periods across the life course. The chapter lists the practical measures for the assessment of an obese person. New management packages, with better-defined goals and success criteria, have emerged, and so diagnostic criteria have come under new scrutiny. Importantly, in order to establish diagnostic criteria, a robust definition of obesity is required, to characterise the disease. Body mass index (BMI) is an attractive measure because it is an easy, cheap and non-invasive means of assessing excess body fat.

• Item Type: Book Sections (Introduction)
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lean, Professor Michael and Hankey, Dr Catherine
• Authors: Kopelman, P., Hughes, A., Hankey, C., Lean, M., Gahagan, A., and Stewart, L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Advanced Nutrition and Dietetics in Obesity
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISBN: 9780470670767
• Published Online: 24 November 2017