Setting population targets for measuring successful obesity prevention

Am J Public Health. 2010 Nov;100(11):2033-7. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2010.200337. Epub 2010 Sep 23.

Abstract

In 2008, The Council of Australian Governments set a target to increase by 5% the proportion of Australian adults at a healthy body weight by 2017, over a 2009 baseline. Target setting is a critical component of public health policy for obesity prevention; however, there is currently no context within which to choose such targets. We analyzed the changes in current weight gain that would be required to meet Australian targets. By using transition-based multistate life tables to project obesity prevalence, we found that meeting national healthy weight targets by 2017 will require a 75% reduction in current 5-year weight gain. A reliable model of future body weight prevalence is critical to set, evaluate, and monitor national obesity targets.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Body Mass Index
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity / prevention & control*
  • Organizational Objectives
  • Prevalence
  • Weight Gain