Tackling obesity in women means healthier society
July 22nd, 2010 - 2:27 pm ICT by ANIWashington, July 22 (ANI): Women are most hit by obesity issues, and only tackling them will lead to a healthier society overall, says a new study.
“We rely on women to serve as the ‘Chief Health Officer’ for the family, but with more than a third being obese themselves, we’re unlikely to break the cycle with children without finding ways for moms to overcome their weight problems as well,” said Christine Ferguson, professor at The George Washington University and Director of the STOP Obesity Alliance.
The Task Force found four areas that impact obesity in women.
Physiological, psychological, cultural and socio-economic factors as well as puberty, pregnancy and menopause, but not limited to these.
Gender-based biases portrayed in the media that show women as ‘weight conscious’.
Pervasive racial and ethnic disparities in obesity prevalence and health outcomes among minority women, particularly African-American, Hispanic and Native American women.
Expectations for women as caretakers and the role they play in influencing and shaping the health behaviours and decisions of their families, especially their children.
“This is the first step down an important path - a path that we hope will reap significant and immediate benefits in reducing the risks and consequences of obesity for women and their families,” said Christine Ferguson, professor at The George Washington University and Director of the STOP Obesity Alliance. (ANI)
- Prevention of childhood obesity should begin early in life - Mar 01, 2010
- Obese and overweight women, kids think they weigh less - Mar 24, 2011
- Obesity begins in babies as young as 9 months old: Study - Jan 03, 2011
- Kids with TVs in their bedrooms 'likelier to be overweight' - May 02, 2011
- Potassium levels may explain racial disparity in Type 2 diabetes: Study - Mar 03, 2011
- New ways to make patients embrace lifestyle changes to lower heart disease risk - Jul 13, 2010
- One in five US women have kids with different dads - Apr 03, 2011
- Food insecurity may cause obesity, says study - Apr 29, 2012
- 1.8m female infant, child deaths in India linked to violence against mums - Jan 06, 2011
- Having an extremely high body image can cause health problems - May 08, 2009
- New study provides answers to obesity trinity - Sep 06, 2010
- Bariatric surgery offers hope for breaking obesity cycle - Jan 17, 2010
- Sugared beverages raise heart, diabetes risks for women - Nov 15, 2011
- Shedding pounds won't help teens' self-esteem - Mar 23, 2012
- Michelle Obama takes campaign against childhood obesity to NAACP - Jul 13, 2010
Tags: biases, caretakers, chief health officer, christine ferguson, consequences of obesity, economic factors, ethnic disparities, george washington, george washington university, health behaviours, health outcomes, menopause, minority women, moms, native american women, obesity issues, obesity prevalence, puberty, risks and consequences, step down