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Obesity Prevention

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Overweight and the Metabolic Syndrome

Part of the book series: Endocrine Updates ((ENDO,volume 26))

8. Conclusion

On the surface, weight maintenance may seem easier than weight loss because of the lower demand in terms of the number of calories to be reduced in the diet or added in energy expenditure through physical activity. However, the literature to date suggests that this reasoning may be deceptive. The prevention of obesity in childhood is particularly complex. Ultimately, to be successful, it will probably require broad efforts by families, schools, communities, and primary care physicians in concert with allied health professionals.

At present we lack definitive evidence to support specific approaches to obesity prevention. This means that a vigorous and ongoing research effort is needed to provide evidence which will drive the prevention strategies of the future. Clinicians will continue to play a pivotal role in all types of preventive strategies, either through direct intervention or as advocates for environmental and policy changes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, and Graduate Program in Public Health Studies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Shiriki K. Kumanyika

  2. Departments of Pediatrics and Environmental Health, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA

    Stephen R. Daniels

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  1. Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    George A. Bray MD  & Donna H. Ryan MD  & 

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Kumanyika, S.K., Daniels, S.R. (2006). Obesity Prevention. In: Bray, G.A., Ryan, D.H. (eds) Overweight and the Metabolic Syndrome. Endocrine Updates, vol 26. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-32164-6_14

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