Obesity Fact or Fiction?

Moral of the story: There is a ton of information out there about obesity and being overweight. Some of it is misinformation, get the facts below. If you want links to the articles click here.

Nature: Obesity
Factor or Fiction?

FICTION: Children who are tall but heavy will eventually grow into their weight and have a healthier BMI as they age.

The Interaction of Childhood Height and Childhood BMI in the Prediction of Young Adult BMI
Steven D. Stovitz, Mark A. Pereira, Gabriela Vazquez, Leslie A. Lytle and John H. Himes
Obesity advance online publication; July 24, 2008; doi:10.1038/oby.2008.359

FACT: An estimated 17% of children and adolescents ages 2-19 years are overweight*.
*Results from 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

School-based Obesity Prevention Programs: An Evidence-based Review
Jonathan A. Kropski, Paul H. Keckley and Gordon L. Jensen
Obesity 16; 1009-1018; doi:10.1038/oby.2008.29

Four-year Follow-up of School-based Intervention on Overweight Children: The KOPS Study
Sandra Plachta-Danielzik, Svenja Pust, Inga Asbeck, Mareike Czerwinski-Mast, Kristina Langnäse, Carina Fischer, Anja Bosy-Westphal, Peter Kriwy and Manfred J. Müller
Obesity 15; 3159-3169; doi:10.1038/oby.2007.376

FACT: Studies have reported that up to 60% of individuals with schizophrenia and 68% of those with bipolar disorder are overweight/obese.

Impact of Obesity on Health-related Quality of Life in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Ronette L. Kolotkin, Patricia K. Corey-Lisle, Ross D. Crosby, Jodi M. Swanson, Anne V. Tuomari, Gilbert J. L'Italien and James E. Mitchell
Obesity 16; 749-754; doi:10.1038/oby.2007.133

FICTION: Being overweight has little or no impact on calling in sick to work or school.

Relative Weight and Sickness Absence
Mikko Laaksonen, Kustaa Piha and Sirpa Sarlio-Lähteenkorva
Obesity 15; 465-472; doi:10.1038/oby.2007.55

The Relationship Between Relative Weight and School Attendance Among Elementary Schoolchildren
Andrew B. Geier, Gary D. Foster, Leslie G. Womble, Jackie McLaughlin, Kelley E. Borradaile, Joan Nachmani, Sandy Sherman, Shiriki Kumanyika, Justine Shults
Obesity 15; 2157-2161; doi:10.1038/oby.2007.256

FACT: Moving? Be careful where you settle down - unpacking your belongings in a new location may pack on extra pounds.

Neighborhood Risk Factors for Obesity
Russ P. Lopez
Obesity 15; 2111-2119; doi:10.1038/oby.2007.251

FACT: Lack of seatbelt use can be added to the list of risk factors associated with obesity.

BMI and Seatbelt Use
David G. Schlundt, Nathaniel C. Briggs, Stephania T. Miller, Carlotta M. Arthur and Irwin A. Goldzweig
Obesity 15; 2541-2545; doi:10.1038/oby.2007.303

FICTION: Women in their first year of college have a 48% chance of gaining the "freshman 15."

Freshman 15: Fact or Fiction?
Michelle L. Morrow, Kristiann C. Heesch, Mary K. Dinger, Holly R. Hull, Allen W. Kneehans, David A. Fields
Obesity 14; 1438-1443; doi:10.1038/oby.2006.163

FACT: Listen to your heart. If you're obese, you could be at risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Relationship of Metabolic Risk Factors and Development of Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
Steven M. Haffner
Obesity 14; 121S-127S; doi:10.1038/oby.2006.291