Gendered dimensions of obesity in childhood and adolescence
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The literature on childhood and adolescent obesity is vast. In addition to producing a general overview, this paper aims to highlight gender differences or similarities, an area which has tended not to be the principal focus of this...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2008-01-01
|
| Series: | Nutrition Journal |
| Online Access: | http://www.nutritionj.com/content/7/1/1 |
| _version_ | 1811320184725569536 |
|---|---|
| author | Sweeting Helen N |
| author_facet | Sweeting Helen N |
| author_sort | Sweeting Helen N |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The literature on childhood and adolescent obesity is vast. In addition to producing a general overview, this paper aims to highlight gender differences or similarities, an area which has tended not to be the principal focus of this literature.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Databases were searched using the terms 'obesity' and 'child', 'adolescent', 'teenager', 'youth', 'young people', 'sex', 'gender', 'masculine', 'feminine', 'male', 'female', 'boy' and 'girl' (or variations on these terms). In order to limit the potential literature, the main focus is on other reviews, both general and relating to specific aspects of obesity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The findings of genetic studies are similar for males and females, and differences in obesity rates as defined by body mass index are generally small and inconsistent. However, differences between males and females due to biology are evident in the patterning of body fat, the fat levels at which health risks become apparent, levels of resting energy expenditure and energy requirements, ability to engage in certain physical activities and the consequences of obesity for the female reproductive system. Differences due to society or culture include food choices and dietary concerns, overall physical activity levels, body satisfaction and the long-term psychosocial consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This review suggests differences between males and females in exposure and vulnerability to obesogenic environments, the consequences of child and adolescent obesity, and responses to interventions for the condition. A clearer focus on gender differences is required among both researchers and policy makers within this field.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:55:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-48a4761ea9624db3ad5d7a66a385d8fc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2891 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:55:43Z |
| publishDate | 2008-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrition Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-48a4761ea9624db3ad5d7a66a385d8fc2022-12-22T02:46:04ZengBMCNutrition Journal1475-28912008-01-0171110.1186/1475-2891-7-1Gendered dimensions of obesity in childhood and adolescenceSweeting Helen N<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The literature on childhood and adolescent obesity is vast. In addition to producing a general overview, this paper aims to highlight gender differences or similarities, an area which has tended not to be the principal focus of this literature.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Databases were searched using the terms 'obesity' and 'child', 'adolescent', 'teenager', 'youth', 'young people', 'sex', 'gender', 'masculine', 'feminine', 'male', 'female', 'boy' and 'girl' (or variations on these terms). In order to limit the potential literature, the main focus is on other reviews, both general and relating to specific aspects of obesity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The findings of genetic studies are similar for males and females, and differences in obesity rates as defined by body mass index are generally small and inconsistent. However, differences between males and females due to biology are evident in the patterning of body fat, the fat levels at which health risks become apparent, levels of resting energy expenditure and energy requirements, ability to engage in certain physical activities and the consequences of obesity for the female reproductive system. Differences due to society or culture include food choices and dietary concerns, overall physical activity levels, body satisfaction and the long-term psychosocial consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This review suggests differences between males and females in exposure and vulnerability to obesogenic environments, the consequences of child and adolescent obesity, and responses to interventions for the condition. A clearer focus on gender differences is required among both researchers and policy makers within this field.</p>http://www.nutritionj.com/content/7/1/1 |
| spellingShingle | Sweeting Helen N Gendered dimensions of obesity in childhood and adolescence Nutrition Journal |
| title | Gendered dimensions of obesity in childhood and adolescence |
| title_full | Gendered dimensions of obesity in childhood and adolescence |
| title_fullStr | Gendered dimensions of obesity in childhood and adolescence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gendered dimensions of obesity in childhood and adolescence |
| title_short | Gendered dimensions of obesity in childhood and adolescence |
| title_sort | gendered dimensions of obesity in childhood and adolescence |
| url | http://www.nutritionj.com/content/7/1/1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sweetinghelenn gendereddimensionsofobesityinchildhoodandadolescence |