I appreciate both these links to relevant health promotion literature.
The causes of obesity/overweight are an imbalance between intake and energy
expenditure. True socioeconomic status is a factor in the equation (through
its impact on access to appropriate foods, stress etc). But whatever the SES
if one eats too much of certain foods and does not engage in sufficient
amounts of physical activity the result is overweight or obesity. Yes it is
important to work to eliminate poverty and enhance food security. But it is
also important to promote healthy eating and physical activity. I realize
that access to physical activity, for example, is also impacted by SES,
neighbourhood safety, and other associated factors, but nutrition or
physical activity promotion is not limited to educational or awareness
campaigns. It also involves healthy public policy development to eliminate
barriers to access associated with SES (and disability, culture, gender
etc). And there are those of us health promoters who are involved in social
action aimed at eliminating poverty as well as working to reduce barriers to
access for those currently living in poverty (and advocacy related to
improving infrastructure to make communities people focused not car focused
for example). But there are others doing equally important work who are not
focused on eliminating poverty and other associated risks to health.
Further, some involved in physical activity promotion see the value of
involvement in recreation and other structured or unstructured programs
(running groups, neighbourhood walking school buses, etc) as a means of
promoting social connectedness. It is important that work be done via
multiple strategies, at multiple levels, with multiple sectors to improve
the health of Canadians. It is not an issue of either/or.
Paula
-----Original Message-----
From: Bronwen Williams [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 3:48 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: FW: Rand Research
yes, but what are the causes of obesity?
articles on the links between poverty, food insecurity and obesity...
http://cnr.berkeley.edu/cwh/lit/lit_hunger.shtml
Bronwen Williams, RD
Public Health Dietitian
Healthy Lifestyles
Toronto Public Health
399 The West Mall
Toronto, Ontario M9C 2Y2
Tel. (416) 338-1783
Fax. (416) 338-1780
[log in to unmask]
>>> [log in to unmask] 02/06/03 02:15pm >>>
Thought people might find the article linked below interesting.
> Health Risks of Obesity - Worse than Smoking, Drinking, or Poverty
>
>
> <http://www.rand.org/publications/RB/RB4549/>
>
>
Kristie Daniel
Choices 4 Health Coordinator
1151 Bronte Rd.
Oakville, ON, L6M 3L1
905-825-6060 ext. 7816
Toll-free 1-866-4Halton (1-866-442-5866)
Fax: 905-825-2247
e-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
website: www.choices4health.org <http://www.choices4health.org>
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