social epidemiology of obesity

Question 1

what is raised BMI a risk factor for

Answer 1

• cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke);
• diabetes type 2;
• musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis)
• some cancers (including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and colon).

Question 2

affects of childhood obesity

Answer 2

• chance of obesity, premature death and disability in adulthood.
• breathing difficulties, increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of CVD, insulin resistance and psychological effects

Question 3

what are some correlations with levels of obesity

Answer 3

higher levels of deprivation

low education levels

Question 4

what is the ‘ecosocial’ model of health

Answer 4

• How diverse aspects of the host, agent and environment are implicated in multifactorial etiology of disease
• Prevention is not just about public health interventions in the health care system but about the wider determinants of health that can only be changed through more widespread social action

Question 5

obesity services in UK

Answer 5

Four tier system:
• Tier 1: General population level interventions
• Tier 2: Multi-component/Lifestyle weight management programmes (Local authority)
• Tier 3: Specialist services (Clinician led team – CCGs)
• Tier 4: Surgical/Non-surgical intervention

Question 6

impact of COVID on obesity levels

Answer 6

Impact on those living with obesity
•	Service delivery changes – no face to face
•	Higher risk of hospitalisation – fear, stigma
•	Impact of shielding
Impact of lockdown population?
•	Higher or lower PA levels?
•	School closure
•	Food insecurity levels

Question 7

what is the nutrition transition

Answer 7

‘ultra-processed’ foods, traditional to modern dietary patterns, often accompanied by rapid urbanisation - coexistence of obesity & undernutrition in low and middle income countries