Shaping Behaviour and Attitude in Childhood Obesity
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Background:
Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death and disease worldwide. Global prevalence of obesity has more than doubled since 1980. The WHO has called the situation an 'epidemic' and estimates that 1.5 billion adults are overweight or obese, and 500 million people obese. Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis and cancer, in turn increasing mortality risks. Overweight and obesity is linked to many other health problems, such as stroke, liver and gall bladder disease, respiratory problems, sleep disturbance, sub-fertility, mental illness, and poor quality of life. Globally, it is the 5th leading risk factor for death and is strongly associated with other important risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high blood glucose and physical inactivity.
Epidemiology: Scotland has one of the worst obesity records in the developed world. Over the last 15 years, adult obesity in Scotland has risen significantly, from 17% of adults aged 16-64 in 1995 to 27% in 2010. If Scottish obesity follows the same trend as the US, it is predicted rates could reach 40% by 2030. In 2010, 65% of adults aged 16 and over were overweight or obese (BMI>=25).
Learning Outcomes[edit | edit source]
By the end of this Wiki the reader will be able to:
- Recognize demographic and psycho-social aspects underpinning childhood obesity.
- Describe theories that shape and influence behaviour and attitudes.
- To apply behavioural/attitudinal theories to effectively implement strategies to combat childhood obesity in (primary) school.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of your strategy to change the behaviours of the children.
Theories of Behaviour Change[edit | edit source]
Changing Attitude:
Social Cognitive Theory:
Theory of Planned Behaviour:
Transtheoretical (Stages of Change) Model:
