Obesity Horizon Scanning Volume 3 Issue 2

New nutrition guidelines for Europe, halfway there…

Title: New nutrition guidelines for Europe, halfway there…

Source: EUFIC

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: May 2011.

Publication type: Press release.

In a nutshell: An update on the progress of the development of  the latest evidence-based guidelines for the recommended daily intake of fats, carbohydrates, fibre and water in order to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.  A brief overview of draft recommendations is provided by the European Food Safety Agency.

Length of publication: 1 page.

 

The Really Big Summer Adventure.

Title: The Really Big Summer Adventure.

Source: Change4Life

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Date of publication: May 2011.

Publication type: Press release.

In a nutshell: Change4Life recently announced its Really Big Summer Adventure campaign will start in July.  Aimed at children, this initiative includes an activity pack with healthy recipes and energetic play ideas in a bid to encourage increased physical activity and healthier eating.

Length of publication: 1 page.

 

Reporting of dietary advice in UK national newspapers found to be unsatisfactory.

Title: Reporting of dietary advice in UK national newspapers found to be unsatisfactory.

Source: EUFIC

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Date of publication: May 2011.

Publication type: Website.

In a nutshell: A commentary upon a study that examines the standard of reporting of dietary advice in the UK national press and how they may impact upon the dietary and health beliefs and choices of readers.  The study reveals that there is widespread misreporting of dietary health news which could result in misconceptions about food and health.

Length of publication: 1 page.

Some important notes: The abstract of the original research can be found here.  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Video game playing increases food intake in adolescents: a randomized crossover study.

Title: Video game playing increases food intake in adolescents: a randomized crossover study.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2011, 93 (6) p.1196-1203.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: May 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This study examines the link between food intake, obesity and sedentary video game playing in healthy male adolescents.  The findings suggest that although energy expenditure was significantly higher during game play than in a resting state, increased food intake after game playing was noted and was not compensated for through the rest of the day.

Length of publication: 8 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

Does “eating for two” make mums gain weight?

Title: Does “eating for two” make mums gain weight?

Source: NHS Choices.

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Date of publication: 18 May 2011.

Publication type: Website.

In a nutshell: This article takes a closer look at the original research behind recent reports that “eating for two” in pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of life-long obesity for women.

Length of publication: 1 page.

Some important notes: Click here to read the full text of the original research article.

Food shopping habits, physical activity and health-related indicators among adults aged >70 years.

Title: Food shopping habits, physical activity and health-related indicators among adults aged >70 years.

Source: Public Health Nutrition, 2011, epub ahead of print.

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Date of publication: 6 May 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This study examines the shopping habits of older adults living in the UK and potential associations with certain health-related indicators such as BMI, physical activity levels and physical function.  The findings suggest that the majority of respondents travel by car to large supermarkets where they can easily access high quality vegetables & fruit and low-fat food products.    This ease of access was associated with higher levels of physical function and activity in the respondents.

Length of publication: 10 pages.

Medical student bias and care recommendations for an obese vs non-obese virtual patient.

Title: Medical student bias and care recommendations for an obese vs non-obese virtual patient.

Source: International Journal of Obesity, 2011, 35 (5) p. 728-735.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: May 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This study used an immersive virtual reality environment to look at the effect of a patient’s weight on medical students’ attitudes, beliefs and interpersonal behaviour towards the patient and the clinical recommendations given for care.  Whilst the study revealed biases in attitudes, beliefs and interpersonal behaviour, there was no clear evidence of bias in the clinical recommendations given for patient care.  The authors suggest that a better understanding of the nature and source of weight bias among practitioners may help in the development of strategies to address this issue.

Length of publication: 8 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 open study for the effectiveness of a multicomponent weight loss intervention for adult with intellectual disabilities and obesity.

Title: An open study for the effectiveness of a mutlicomponent weight loss intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity.

Source: British Journal of Nutrition, 2011, 105 (10) p. 1553-1562.

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Date of publication: May 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This paper examines the effectiveness of TAKE 5, a multicomponent weight loss intervention in relation to adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity.  The TAKE 5 programme involved a daily energy intake deficit of 600 kCal and used a personalised dietary prescription.  The study found that significant reductions in body weight, BMI and daily sedentary behaviours of study participants.  These findings suggest that TAKE 5 could be an effective weight loss intervention for this client group, but further research is recommended.

Length of publication: 10 pages.

Social influences are associated with BMI and weight loss intentions in young adults.

Title: Social influences are associated with BMI and weight loss intentions in young adults.

Source: Obesity, 2011, 19 (6) p. 1157-1162.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: June 2011

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This study examines the idea of obesity and health behaviour clusters in relation to social networkd and norms among young adults in the US.  The paper suggests that social contacts and normative beliefs influence weight status and weight loss intents in young adults.

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