Managing obesity
Aim of session:
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To highlight the main principles of weight
management.
To demonstrate the importance of portion
control.
Areas to be covered
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Definition of overweight and obesity in N.I
How big is the problem in N.I?
What is causing the problem?
What can we do about it?
The effect of portion sizes on calorie intake
What’s the problem?
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Obesity =where weight has reached a level
where it is detrimental to health.
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Obesity increases risk of chronic diseases
especially type 2 diabetes, CHD, stroke,
some cancers and arthritis.
In children, obesity can lead to
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 risk of CHD as adults
Risk of bullying and teasing
Negative self image
Lack of confidence and low self esteem especially adolescents.
Lower educational attainment
Measuring obesity
Usually measured as Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI= weight (Kg)
height in m2 Adults
Ready reckoner or chart helpful for this
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Healthy weight range 18.5-24.9
Overweight > =25- 29.9
Obese >=30-39.9
Very obese 40 and above
Working out BMI
Example:
person weighing 80Kg
who is 1.65m tall
= BMI =29 kg/m2
=overweight
80kg / 2.72 (1.65m
x1.65m)
Adult weight in N.Ireland
HSWB survey 2005/6
Rates of overweight in children in
N.I.
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Almost 1 in 10
(8%) children
aged 2-15 years
is obese
(NI Health and Social Wellbeing, 2006/07)
Overweight and obesity in
children was projected to rise
but appears to have levelled
off.
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22% of children
entering P1 were
either overweight
or obese (5% of
these obese)
(Child Health System, 2004/05)
What’s causing the obesity
problem?
Human biology combined with modern living
Societal influences
Individual
psychology
Food Production
Individual
activity Activity
Food
Consumption
environment
Biology
Obesogenic Environment
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Modern lifestyle-labour saving devices, TV viewing
and computer games
Lack of opportunities to be physically active
Increased promotion and availability of snack foods
and fast food.
Increasing portion sizes
to name but a few!
What protects against obesity?
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Breastfeeding until
at least 4 months
Good weaning
practices
Maintaining healthy
weight in pregnancy
What if you are already overweight
or obese?
Evidence is for
multi-component
interventions
 dietary change
 Physical activity
 Behaviour change
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In children family
based interventions
are recommendedentire family involved.
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SIGN (2010) and NICE
guidelines.
Achieving a healthy weight
Balancing
 energy in (food eaten)
with
 Energy out
Safe weight loss targets for
overweight adults
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Aim for 1-2 lbs weight loss per week-
energy intake by approx 500 Kcals per day
to achieve weight loss of 0.5kg/ week (1lb)
5% weight loss
Aim for weight maintenance as a minimum
i.e. avoid weight gain.
 physical activity
Eating well for weight loss
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Eat regular meals
Eat a balanced diet
Reduce portion
sizes
Reduce calorie intake
Reduce fat – richest source of
calories
1g fat=9Kcals
1g Carbohydrate=4 Kcals
1g Alcohol=7Kcals
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Reduce portion sizes
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Reduce proportion of foods
from high fat and or sugar
food group.
Practical advice
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Choose healthy snacks
Watch alcohol
Read food labels
Choose low calorie drinks
Reduce sedentary time
Focus on your food! Mindful
eating.
At least 5 fruit and veg a day
Portions sizes
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Some product portion sizes have increased e.g.
Passively eating more!
Some products available in smaller portions but
usually as multi packs
Share packs available
Signposting
Leaflets and resources
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Small changes big
benefits (public health
agency)
Eat well feel well and lose
weight (Eastern area
health promotion)
Fit families (BCC)
PROGRAMMES in Eastern
area
 Weigh to health (for
adults)
 FRESH (for 11-14 year
olds)
Useful web sites
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www.enjoyhealthyeating.
org
www.nhs.uk/Livewell/heal
thyeating/Pages/Healthyeati
ng.aspx
www.weightconcern.org
www.littlesteps.eu
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www.bdaweightwise.com
www.change4life.org
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Preventing obesity is a societal challenge,
similar to climate change. It requires
partnership between government, science ,
business and civil society.
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Foresight report