Obesity

Concern over increased childhood obesity has spurred various school-based interventions. However, these interventions often have little positive effect and may inadvertently contribute to unhealthy behaviours during weight loss attempts. Indeed, a general emphasis on appearance and weight (rather than health) can promote eating disordered behaviours. This book provides a conceptual model for understanding both obesity and eating disordered behaviours. Specifically, it advocates for body acceptance and intuitive eating—a flexible, healthy eating behaviour involving awareness of the body's hunger and satiety cues. Within this context, the chapters review evidence-based school interventions in nutrition, self-regulation, exercise, body acceptance, media literacy, and mindfulness.

In Obesity Interventions in Underserved Communities, a diverse group of researchers explores effective models for treating and preventing obesity in such communities. The volume provides overviews of the literature at specific junctures of society and health (e.g., the effectiveness of preschool obesity prevention programs), as well as commentaries that shape our understanding of particular parts of the obesity epidemic and field reports on innovative approaches to combating obesity in racial/ethnic minority and other medically underserved populations in the United States.

Promote nutritional health and tackle childhood obesity with the latest practice tools and recommendations from the AAP. This popular manual will help guide pediatric healthcare professionals by providing information, strategies, and suggestions for approaches to prevention, intervention, and treatment for childhood obesity at the primary care level.

There is an epidemic of student obesity in America, and educators are ideally situated to identify, intervene, educate, and support overweight students who are headed for long-term illness or premature death. Such an effort will require changes in the way that schools operate. These changes can be implemented with a low-cost budget and by restructuring staff and resources that are currently in place. Fibkins proposes a Circle of Wellness model for schools that includes an intervention effort to promote a health-oriented cafeteria; increased physical activity; healthy levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar; life-skills training groups offered by counselors; outreach to parents; and easy access and referral to community health, mental health, and recreation resources.