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Preventing Childhood Obesity: Evidence, Policy, and Practice
New Resources for Nutrition Educators BOOK Preventing Childhood Obesity: Evidence, Policy, and Practice. Waters E, Swinburn B, Seidell J, Uauy R. 2010. Wiley-Blackwell, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK. Paperback book, 306 pp, $99.95. ISBN 978-1-4051-5889-3. This book brings together contributors from around the world and showcases the latest evidence-based research on community and policy interventions to prevent unhealthful weight gain and improve the health and well-being of children. For those working to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity in their communities, this book is an essential read. Although it has been widely acknowledged that the genesis of the child obesity crisis is multidimensional and that it is a global concern, most discussions of the issue emanate from a single discipline and national origin. This book brings new insights to the issue, with chapters written by global experts from both developed and developing countries. The contributors, who are all members of the World Health Organization expert committee on childhood obesity, discuss the evidence base, policies, and solutions from a wide range of disciplines. The first section on context adopts a human rights approach as chapters describe the scope and complexity of the child obesity epidemic, identify the factors that contribute to the environment, and examine successful efforts to stem other health epidemics.
The second section presents a critical analysis of the current evidence base. The first 2 chapters lay the groundwork by addressing the empirical challenges associated with building the child obesity evidence base and highlighting areas for future research. Several chapters are devoted to the contexts in which children spend time over their life course and the primary care setting, as well as evidence of environmental influences such as food marketing, the built environment, and poverty. Rather than an exhaustive review of the literature, which would fill several volumes, contributors rely on meta-analyses and present a few high-quality, well-designed studies. The remainder of the book presents an insightful discussion of the complexities involved in translating the
research evidence into workable policies and practices. Section three lays out the types of evidence needed to advance child obesity prevention efforts. Chapters then examine how the evidence base can be translated in ways that drive change not just within the individual, but at the policy level within the multiple systems that influence the obesogenic environment. The book concludes with an examination of current policies and practices put in place to curb the obesity epidemic, as well as a realistic discussion of the challenges involved in getting childhood obesity on national agendas and galvanizing action. This resource provides an excellent introduction to students or professionals who seek an overview of the child obesity issue or want to expand their understanding through exposure to a new perspective. It also would be an excellent supplementary text in a university policy course, as it clearly illustrates the complex relationship between research, practice, and policy. Jane D. Lanigan, PhD, Washington State University Vancouver, Human Development, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686 doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2010.09.004
Cite this article as Lanigan JD. Preventing Childhood Obesity: Evidence Policy and Practice [New Resources for Nutrition Educators]. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2011;43:73.e3.
Inclusion of any material in this section does not imply endorsement by the Society for Nutrition Education. Evaluative comments contained in the reviews reflect the views of the authors. Review abstracts are either prepared by the reviewer or extracted from the product literature. Prices quoted are those provided by the publishers at the time materials were submitted. They may not be current when the review is published. Reviewers receive a complimentary copy of the resource as part of the review process. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2011;43:73.e3 Ó2011 SOCIETY FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Volume 43, Number 1, 2011
73.e3
The second section presents a critical analysis of the current evidence base. The first 2 chapters lay the groundwork by addressing the empirical challenges associated with building the child obesity evidence base and highlighting areas for future research. Several chapters are devoted to the contexts in which children spend time over their life course and the primary care setting, as well as evidence of environmental influences such as food marketing, the built environment, and poverty. Rather than an exhaustive review of the literature, which would fill several volumes, contributors rely on meta-analyses and present a few high-quality, well-designed studies. The remainder of the book presents an insightful discussion of the complexities involved in translating the
research evidence into workable policies and practices. Section three lays out the types of evidence needed to advance child obesity prevention efforts. Chapters then examine how the evidence base can be translated in ways that drive change not just within the individual, but at the policy level within the multiple systems that influence the obesogenic environment. The book concludes with an examination of current policies and practices put in place to curb the obesity epidemic, as well as a realistic discussion of the challenges involved in getting childhood obesity on national agendas and galvanizing action. This resource provides an excellent introduction to students or professionals who seek an overview of the child obesity issue or want to expand their understanding through exposure to a new perspective. It also would be an excellent supplementary text in a university policy course, as it clearly illustrates the complex relationship between research, practice, and policy. Jane D. Lanigan, PhD, Washington State University Vancouver, Human Development, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686 doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2010.09.004
Cite this article as Lanigan JD. Preventing Childhood Obesity: Evidence Policy and Practice [New Resources for Nutrition Educators]. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2011;43:73.e3.
Inclusion of any material in this section does not imply endorsement by the Society for Nutrition Education. Evaluative comments contained in the reviews reflect the views of the authors. Review abstracts are either prepared by the reviewer or extracted from the product literature. Prices quoted are those provided by the publishers at the time materials were submitted. They may not be current when the review is published. Reviewers receive a complimentary copy of the resource as part of the review process. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2011;43:73.e3 Ó2011 SOCIETY FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Volume 43, Number 1, 2011
73.e3