The role of nutrition and physical activity in the obesity epidemic

Lisa J. Harnack, Kathryn H. Schmitz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

This chapter reviews information on temporal trends in energy intake and energy expenditure in the USA and discusses the quality and limitations of available data. The focus is on trends in the USA, firstly because surveillance data is available for the USA, and secondly because of the complications of differences in obesity trends across countries. The surveillance issues that have arisen in the USA serve as a valuable example for other countries regarding the pitfalls of tracking risk factors for obesity. Further, because the USA has experienced a steady and steep increase in the prevalence of obesity over the past twenty-five years, it serves as good case study for attempts to understand the relative contributions of diet and physical activity to the development of obesity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationObesity Epidemiology
Subtitle of host publicationFrom Aetiology to Public Health
PublisherOxford University Press
ISBN (Electronic)9780191595097
ISBN (Print)9780199571512
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 9 2010

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Oxford University Press 2010. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Diet
  • Energy expenditure
  • Energy intake
  • Obesity trends
  • Physical activity
  • Risk factors
  • USA

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