The Family’s Role in Obesity Prevention

1. Introduction

Obesity is a common and complex condition that is increasing in prevalence in all age groups around the world (Wang et al., 2016). The prevalence of obesity has more than doubled since 1980 and currently affects more than 650 million adults (World Health Organization, 2017). In addition to the health consequences of obesity, such as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, obese individuals also suffer from social and economic consequences, such as discrimination and lower incomes (Wang et al., 2016).

The causes of obesity are multifactorial and include both genetic and environmental factors (Wang et al., 2016). While the individual’s responsibility for their own health cannot be ignored, the family plays a key role in the development and maintenance of obesity. In particular, parents have a unique influence on their children’s dietary habits and physical activity levels (Wang et al., 2016). As such, obesity prevention programs need to target both individual behavior change and family-level characteristics, such as parenting styles and family functioning (Wang et al., 2016).

2. Child and Adolescent Obesity as a Family Issue

Childhood obesity is a major public health problem in developed countries and is becoming more prevalent in developing countries (Huang et al., 2015). The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased dramatically over the past few decades in most industrialized countries, with the United States having the highest rates (Ogden et al., 2014). Currently, one in three American children is overweight or obese (Ogden et al., 2014). The reasons for this increase are complex, but evidence suggests that changes in diet and physical activity patterns are key contributing factors (Huang et al., 2015).

A number of studies have shown that parental behaviors and attitudes are associated with child weight status (Huang et al., 2015). For example, parents who are obese are more likely to have obese children, likely due to shared genetic susceptibility and/or behavioral patterns (Huang et al., 2015; Wang et al., 2016). In addition, parents who have poor dietary habits and are physically inactive are also more likely to have children with these same characteristics (Huang et al., 2015). Furthermore, parents who engage in critical or negative comments about their child’s weight are more likely to have children who are overweight or obese (Franko et al., 2010). These findings suggest that interventions aimed at preventing childhood obesity need to focus on changing parental behaviors and attitudes.

3. Obesity as a Family Issue in Adults

Although childhood obesity is a major public health concern, adult obesity is an even bigger problem. Worldwide, nearly 38% of adults are overweight and 13% are obese (World Health Organization, 2017). In the United States, more than 70% of adults are either overweight or obese (Flegal et al., 2016). Obesity is associated with a number of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer (Wang et al., 2016). In addition, obese individuals have been shown to have lower incomes and less social mobility than their non-obese counterparts (Cawley & Meyerhoefer, 2012).

As with childhood obesity, the causes of adult obesity are multifactorial. However, family characteristics play an important role in the development and maintenance of obesity in adults. For example, married adults are more likely to be obese than single adults, likely due to shared dietary and physical activity patterns (Cawley & Meyerhoefer, 2012). In addition, adults who have children are more likely to be obese than adults without children, again likely due to shared behavioral patterns (Cawley & Meyerhoefer, 2012). These findings suggest that interventions aimed at preventing adult obesity need to take into account the role of family dynamics.

4. The Impact of Obesity on Health

Obesity is a major risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer (Wang et al., 2016). In fact, obesity is estimated to cause 2.8 million deaths per year worldwide (World Health Organization, 2017). The health consequences of obesity are due to the accumulation of excess body fat, which leads to an increased risk of developing chronic diseases (Wang et al., 2016).

Excess body fat can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes by interfering with the body’s ability to use insulin properly (Wang et al., 2016). In addition, excess body fat can increase the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, which raises the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (Wang et al., 2016). Furthermore, excess body fat increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and colon cancer (Wang et al., 2016).

5. Obesity as a Family Issue in the Community

While obesity is most commonly thought of as an individual problem, it is important to remember that it also has implications for families and communities. For example, obese individuals are more likely to suffer from social stigmatization and discrimination than their non-obese counterparts (Puhl & Heuer, 2009). In addition, obese individuals have been shown to have lower incomes and less social mobility than their non-obese counterparts (Cawley & Meyerhoefer, 2012).

The economic burden of obesity is also borne by the community. The direct costs of obesity are estimated to be $147 billion per year in the United States (Finkelstein et al., 2009). These costs include medical expenses, such as hospitalizations and doctor’s visits, as well as indirect costs, such as lost productivity at work. In addition, the indirect costs of obesity are estimated to be $210 billion per year in the United States (Finkelstein et al., 2009). These costs include lost productivity at work and premature death.

6. Conclusion

In conclusion, obesity is a complex condition with multiple causes. While individual responsibility cannot be ignored, it is important to remember that family dynamics play a key role in the development and maintenance of obesity. As such, interventions aimed at preventing obesity need to take into account the role of families and target both individual behavior change and family-level characteristics.

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