Setting population targets for measuring successful obesity prevention.
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.
Backholer
Kathryn
K
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. kathryn.backholer@monash.edu
Walls
Helen L
HL
Magliano
Dianna J
DJ
Peeters
Anna
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D015995:Prevalence; D015430:Weight Gain