Obesity Horizon Scanning Volume 4 Issue 6.

Escalating Coverage of Obesity in UK Newspapers: The Evolution and Framing of the “Obesity Epidemic” From 1996 to 2010.

Source: Obesity, 2012, 20 (8), p.1688-1695.

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Date of publication: August, 2012.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This study offers a large-scale examination of the evolution and framing of the obesity epidemic in UK newspapers, identifying shifts in news coverage about causes of and potential solutions to the obesity epidemic over a 15 year period. The authors found an increase in media reporting on obesity, with a particular increase in reporting on childhood obesity, and a shift towards reporting on societal solutions such as regulatory change.

Length of publication: 8 pages.

Why brown fat is “good” in the fight against obesity.

 Source: BBC News

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Date of publication: 29^th July, 2012.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: An overview of brown fat in the human body, why we need it and its role in thermogenesis throughout our lifespan.

Length of publication: 1 web page.

Some important notes: Follow this link to read the abstract of the original research paper discussed in this news item.

Effect of diet and exercise, alone or combined, on weight and body composition in overweight-to-obese postmenopausal women.

Source: Obesity, 2012, 20 (8), p. 1628-1638.

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Date of publication: August, 2012.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: A RCT among 439 overweight-to-obese postmenopausal sedentary women to determine the differing effects of a calorie-reduced, low-fat diet (D), a moderate-intensity, aerobic exercise program (E), or the combination of both interventions (D+E), versus a no-lifestyle-change control group (C) on change in body weight and composition. It was found that amongst this group, lifestyle-change involving diet, exercise, or both over 1 year improved body weight and adiposity, with the greatest change arising from the combined intervention.

Length of publication: 11 pages.

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

An update on the government’s approach to tackling obesity.

Source: National Audit Office.

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Date of publication: July 2012.

Publication type: Report.

In a nutshell: This document provides an update to the government’s approach to tackling obesity and related costs in England by 2020.

Length of publication: 38 pages.

Body satisfaction, weight gain and binge eating among overweight adolescent girls.

Source: International Journal of Obesity, 2012, 36 (7), p. 944-949.

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Date of publication: July, 2012.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: Using data from the Growing Up Today Study, this paper examined whether body satisfaction was associated with BMI change and if it protected against the development of binge eating amongst overweight and obese adolescent girls. The authors found that body satisfaction may well protect against excessive weight gain and binge eating, recommending that this issue be addressed in obesity and eating disorder prevention programmes.

Length of publication: 6 pages.

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

Time use and physical activity: a shift away from movement across the globe.

 Source: Obesity Reviews, 2012, 13 (8), p. 659-680.

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Date of publication: August 2012.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This paper examines trends in physical activity and related energy expenditure over the last 18 years, and goes on to examine the potential impact on weight gain and other cardio-metabolic health risks that the differential declines in activity and increases in sedentary time across the globe represent.

Length of publication: 22 pages.

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

NOF 2012 Annual Conference – 28 November 2012.

Source: National Obesity Forum

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Date of publication: 6^th July, 2012.

Publication type: Press release.

In a nutshell: Details of the 8^th Annual Conference delivered by the National Obesity Forum which is taking place on 28^th November, 2012 at the Royal College of Physicians.

Length of publication: 1 web page

‘Flab jab’ hopes are premature.

 Source: NursingTimes.net

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Date of publication: 18^th July, 2012.

Publication type: Journal article.

In a nutshell: A closer look at the science behind recent headlines promising a weight-loss quick fix in the form of an injection.

Length of publication: 1 web page.

Some important notes: Follow this link to read the full text of the original research paper discussed in this article.

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