Educational measures to fight against obesity
It is in an opinion by Christian Brohet (1) published in the pages of LaLibre.be that the question of education arises with regard to the prevention of obesity for the next generations. Indeed, young people are increasingly affected by this scourge. The figures are now known: one in three people in the world is overweight; this epidemic has been progressing for thirty years and no State has been able to stop it (2) .
Thirty years of unsuitable advice
It is the poorest households and the most destitute people who suffer from this scourge in France. This is the reason why the State has tried to sensitize families to “ eat less fat, less salt, less sugar ” as well as to “ move more ”.
It was a waste of time, the message was not heard . Housewives do not understand why corporations sell products that are unhealthy to buy when these foods are so palatable.
Young teenagers are not left out. More than one in five children is overweight and in Greece, the USA and Italy, one in three children is obese.
At the end of May 2014, researchers from more than 180 different countries conducted a study, the conclusions of which appeared in the medical journal “The Lancet”. It emerges that, unlike health risks such as child malnutrition or tobacco, obesity is more or less stabilizing in developed countries but is progressing in developing countries .
Education? Only sensitization possible
In 2010, worldwide, between 3 and 4 million deaths were attributed to obesity . The latter is responsible for 1 to 3% of all health expenditure and even up to 10% in the USA. True pathology overweight is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers. In fact, the contemporary way of life encourages the population to complete inaction whether at work, at school, in front of the television or while playing virtual games. Added to this: zero sport, poor diet with a lack of knowledge of nutritional values, genetic factors, a deleterious environmental context.
Obesity is considered a multifactorial pathology and combating it involves educating patients through behavioral change and environmental modification. This education based on lifestyles and the environment is presented under the name “ Community Intervention Programs ”.
These programs are implemented in France, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Mexico, Australia, etc. That is 26 countries united within a sharing of know-how. They are elected municipal officials, pediatricians, associations, dieticians, health professionals and ordinary citizens who set up cooking workshops with promotions of fresh fruits and vegetables, active means of transport, modes healthier lives.
Regarding childhood obesity, between 10 and 20% reduction has been noted in the space of 3 to 5 years. So, even if the fight against obesity is a real challenge, it is clear that community intervention programs obtain excellent results . But to fix them in time, it is necessary that everyone gets involved: citizens but also politicians and public authorities with substantial financial aid.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.