The Stage of Obesity Epidemic Model: Learning from Tobacco Control and Advocacy for a Framework Convention on Obesity Control

Abstract The 2011 United Nations Political Declaration against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) targeted 4 major risk factors: tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), MPOWER strategies, and the four‐stage model of tobacco epidemic are useful references for the prevention and control of other risk factors and NCDs. Obesity control is a more complex challenge involving two major risk factors: physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. We propose the Stage of Obesity Epidemic Model (SOEM) for the expanding epidemic. Obesity is at the early stages (Stage 1 or 2) in most countries with increasing prevalence, but its full effects on mortality will be rapidly increasing, even if the prevalence of obesity may have reached the peak and be declining. Based on current relative risk, obesity kills one out of three obese people. Like tobacco, epidemiological studies at early stages would underestimate the risks and disease burden. Further research will reveal more harm, especially from long‐term obesity since childhood. Obesity would overtake smoking but commitments to obesity control are too weak. The SOEM is needed and should be useful to forewarn the expanding public health problems and the challenges in epidemiology and interventions. Learning from tobacco control, we advocate for a Framework Convention on Obesity Control. To frame obesity control initiative in the spirit of the MPOWER st...
Source: Journal of Diabetes - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Tags: Review Article Source Type: research