Strategies to Address the Obesity Epidemic and Unintended Consequences

Abstract

With the increasing obesity rates in children, most notably in the recent decades, physical educators, therapists, coaches, trainers, and physicians are all scrambling to combat childhood obesity through exercise and physical activity prescriptions. Yet, with ever-changing environments, professionals find it extremely challenging to moderate what is becoming the world’s most pressing health set back. Involvement in sport, recreation, and physical activities is by far what most exercise specialists would recommend. At the same time there is research pointing out that some practices originally intended to address reduction of childhood obesity rates can actually work in the opposite direction. The unintended consequence can be poor nutrition and decreased physical activity among others. Obesity as it turns out is related to many environmental factors and presents a far more complex challenge for society than often realized. This paper first reviews the economics of obesity and the risks to those who are obese. Then, the shortcomings of some strategies meant to decrease obesity rates are discussed along with the role educators can play in maximizing helpful outcomes and avoiding unintended negative outcomes.