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Visscher TL, Lakerveld J, Olsen N, Küpers L, Ramalho S, Keaver L, Brei C, Bjune JI, Ezquerro S, Yumuk V. Perceived Health Status: Is Obesity Perceived as a Risk Factor and Disease? Obes Facts 2017; 10:52-60. [PMID: 28278496 PMCID: PMC5644964 DOI: 10.1159/000457958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
One might expect that a perception of obesity being a risk factor and disease, contributes to effective obesity prevention and management strategies. However, obesity rates continue to increase worldwide. The question arises whether obesity is truly perceived as a risk factor and a disease. This paper aims at describing perception of obesity as risk factor and disease among individuals seeking care, individuals not seeking care, the society, and different professionals having a role in the field of obesity. The paper is a reflection of the lecture on the topic that was given at the EASO's New Investigators United's Summer School 2016 in Portugal and the discussion with the new investigators and other senior speakers. Individual obese patients seeking help are very much aware of obesity being a risk factor and disease, but perceptions regarding obesity seem to be flawed among those who do not seek help for obesity. Also, misperceptions regarding obesity play a role at different levels, including society, different political levels, the fields of health care and social work, prevention organizations, and the food and marketing industry. The food and marketing industry has an enormous role in changing perceptions by the society and policy makers. Obesity rates will continue to increase as long as individuals, the society, and professionals at different levels have false interpretations of the severity of obesity. Severe action is needed against those who are playing a role in maintaining false perceptions of obesity as a risk factor and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy L.S. Visscher
- European Association for the Study of Obesity, New Investigators United, London, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
- Research Centre for Healthy Cities, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, The Netherlands, Istanbul, Turkey
- European Association for the Study of Obesity, Patient Council and Prevention and Public Health Taskforce, Founding Chair New Investigators United, London, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Jeroen Lakerveld
- European Association for the Study of Obesity, New Investigators United, London, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nanna Olsen
- European Association for the Study of Obesity, New Investigators United, London, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
- Research Unit for Dietary Studies at the Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, the Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Leanne Küpers
- European Association for the Study of Obesity, New Investigators United, London, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sofia Ramalho
- European Association for the Study of Obesity, New Investigators United, London, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
- School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Laura Keaver
- European Association for the Study of Obesity, New Investigators United, London, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, Ireland, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Christina Brei
- European Association for the Study of Obesity, New Investigators United, London, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
- Else Körner-Fresenius-Center for Nutritional Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Jan-Inge Bjune
- European Association for the Study of Obesity, New Investigators United, London, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
- Hormone Laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Clinical Science K2 and KG Jebsen Center for Diabetes Research, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Silvia Ezquerro
- European Association for the Study of Obesity, New Investigators United, London, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, CIBEROBN, Pamplona, Spain, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Volkan Yumuk
- European Association for the Study of Obesity, New Investigators United, London, UK, Istanbul, Turkey
- Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Istanbul, Turkey
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