Promoting positive body image and tackling overweight/obesity in children and adolescents: A combined health psychology and public health approach

Preventive Medicine
Isabelle BrayAbigail Sabey

Abstract

This article draws attention to the dual global problems of disordered eating and overweight/obesity among children and adolescents. It is well recognised that the main risk factor for disordered eating is body dissatisfaction, yet public health messages to tackle overweight/obesity are likely to increase body dissatisfaction. This tension between key public health messages and a health psychology approach is examined, with the goal of seeking a common way forward. We focus on the UK as a case study, where there is currently no statutory education in schools on body image. Since more prescriptive guidance on the curriculum covering personal/social/health issues is soon to be introduced, it is timely to consider the content, and in particular its impact on body image as well as overweight/obesity. Having reviewed current interventions and policy, we argue for a more holistic approach to the obesity problem, using a whole school approach to create a body confident culture.

Citations

Mar 13, 2019·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Rasa Jankauskiene, Migle Baceviciene
May 24, 2019·Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD·Sohvi LommiRejane Augusta de Oliveira Figueiredo
Jun 11, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Rasa JankauskieneLaima Trinkuniene
Apr 5, 2020·Nutrients·Anja Hilbert
Dec 18, 2020·International Journal of Impotence Research·Filippo Maria NimbiPaone Emanuela
Feb 10, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Glòria Tort-NasarreEva Artigues-Barberà
Feb 23, 2021·Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology·Meiying GaoHongwei Guo

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