The Role of Health Systems in Obesity Management and Prevention: Problems and Paradigm Shifts

Tarra L. Penney,Sara F. L. Kirk

doi:10.1007/s13679-013-0074-7

Tarra L. Penney, Sara F. L. Kirk

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-013-0074-7

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Abstract

This paper provides an overview of a new section of Current Obesity Reports, called Health Services and programs. This new section seeks to better understand the problems within health systems around obesity management and prevention and to discuss the latest research on solutions. There are few health system issues that are quite as controversial as obesity and there remain several key problems inherent within existing obesity management and prevention approaches that necessitate the adoption of new paradigms and practices. Beginning with articles on addressing weight bias and stigma in health professional training, promoting new models of weight management provision, reviewing the role of regulation and generating an understanding of obesity through a complex systems lens, this new section will encourage readers to better address the challenging problems in obesity management and in doing so, overcome the ‘paradigm paralysis’ that has characterized the last few decades of obesity research and practice.

Highlights

The conclusion of the twentieth century is credited as the first time in human history when the number of overweight people in the world equaled the number of underfed people [1]
Leaving aside the challenges of weight bias and stigma, there is a further problem within health systems around how professional roles and responsibilities are defined and enacted, and this can impact obesity management and prevention efforts
In their paper within this new section on Health Services and Programs in Current Obesity Reports, Lewis et al discuss the role of physicians in obesity management, noting the many barriers that limit opportunities for counseling to be provided within primary care, such as time constraints, lack of knowledge and uncertainty about what approaches to take

Summary

Introduction

The conclusion of the twentieth century is credited as the first time in human history when the number of overweight people in the world equaled the number of underfed people [1]. Leaving aside the challenges of weight bias and stigma, there is a further problem within health systems around how professional roles and responsibilities are defined and enacted, and this can impact obesity management and prevention efforts.

Results

Conclusion