Define Steps for prevention strategies of Obesity?
The first and most important step for the rapidly progressing developing countries is to collect and organize data from various regions about the prevalence of obesity. Once the true prevalence is known, the goals or targets to reduce the same can be set. Let us consider towards whom the prevalence strategies need to be targeted. The prevention strategies need to be targeted basically at two sub-groups in the population.
i) Those who are already obese and need advice regarding reducing weight and maintaining it. These persons, if not careful about their diet are liable to gain weight. They need to be guided appropriately regarding a maintenance diet because after a period of controlled eating, they tend to go back to their original diet or favourite foods which may be high in energy and short on important nutrients. All weight reducing clinics/community slimming centers must offer appropriate guidance and support to people who have achieved weight loss successfully to prevent regain in weight.
ii) Those who are at increased risk of becoming obese and require help to avoid putting on weight. This is the major population group towards which public health measures need to be targeted. It is believed that fitness at the age of 13 years is quite a strong predictor of adult fitness. Children between the age of 7 and 12 years of age, therefore, may be a very important group that falls into this category.