Obesity Horizon Scanning Volume 4 Issue 1.

Top ten diets review

 Source: NHS Choices

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: 20^th December, 2011

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: The British Dietetic Association (BDA) takes a look at ten of the most popular commercial diets in the UK and delivers a verdict on the pros and cons of each of them.

Length of publication: 1 web page.

Health explained: what is a calorie?

 Source: BBC News

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: 23^rd December, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: A video explaining what a calorie is, how it can be measured and how our body uses the energy obtained from food. Some advice is given as to how to burn off calories through exercise.

Length of publication: Web video.

Patients’ preferred terms for describing their excess weight: discussing obesity in clinical practice

Source: Obesity, 2012, 20 (1), p. 147-150.

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: January 2012.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This study examines the results of a questionnaire which examined patients’ preferred terms for describing their excess weight in clinical consultations. The term “fatness” was rated as significantly more undesirable than all other descriptors, whilst the terms “excess fat”, “large size”, “obesity” and “heaviness” were rated as significantly more undesirable then the remaining terms. Practitioners are advised to avoid these terms when discussing weight with patients, opting for what were found to be more patient-friendly terms such as “weight,” “BMI,” “weight problem,” or “excess weight.”

 Length of publication: 4 pages.

Healthy eating

Source: Age UK.

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: January 2012.

Publication type: Resource.

In a nutshell: Help the Aged and Age Concern have come together to produce a series of nutritional tips and guidelines for older people in order to promote better health and nutrition among the older population.

Length of publication: 1 web page.

The “Snacking Child” and its Social Network: Some Insights from an Italian Survey

Source: Nutrition Journal, 2011, 10:132

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: 29^th November, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This paper looked at the possible links between the snack consumption patterns of a child and their social network. It was found that children who ate snacks seemed to be part of more numerous social networks, many of which were associated with sporting activities.  Therefore, the authors suggested that these were positive relationships and noted no increase in overweight or obesity in the study population in relation to snack consumption.

Length of publication: 24 pages.

Interventions for preventing obesity in children

Source: The Cochrane Library

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: 7^th December, 2011.

Publication type: Review.

In a nutshell: An update on the previous Cochrane review of childhood obesity prevention research, determining the effectiveness of evaluated interventions intended to prevent obesity in children assessed by change in Body Mass Index (BMI). Strong evidence was found to support the beneficial effects of child obesity prevention programmes on BMI, particularly for programmes targeted to children aged six to 12 years. However, a great deal of variation between studies was noted and findings may be biased by missing small studies with negative findings.

Length of publication: 1 web page.

Acknowledgement: Follow this link to read the review in full (214 pages).

EPHA briefing on food taxation and other fiscal measures

Source: European Public Health Alliance.

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: 15^th December, 2011.

Publication type: Commentary.

In a nutshell: A number of European countries are considering introducing “fat” or “sugar” taxes in response to the growing problem of obesity and the economic crisis.  This briefing from the EPHA looks at how such taxes may be implemented.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Low-fat foods ‘could cause weight gain’

Source: NHS Choices.

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: 5^th December, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: A look at the original research behind a recent newspaper headline which claimed that low fat foods could in fact make people fat. 

Length of publication: 1 web page.

Some important notes: Follow this link to read the abstract of the original research paper. Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: Follow this link to read the original newspaper article.

Further dissemination.

If you think that anyone would benefit from receiving this posting or from subscribing to this blog, please email them the link to this blog and suggest they subscribe to Obesity Horizon Scanning by Email to stay up to date with new content.