6533b7d8fe1ef96bd126a0ad

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Does weight status increase vulnerability to the food environment?

subject

description

Obesity is an important public health issue with socioeconomic consequences. Its origin is multifactorial, with environmental, biological, psychological and social dimensions. Furthermore, its consequences involve physical, psychological and social complications on an individual level. The main tool employed to categorize individuals according to their weight status is the body mass index (BMI). This indicator, based on the ratio of weight to height, is used to define what constitutes a "normal" weight status (between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m 2), overweight (between 25 and 29.9 kg/m 2), and obesity (30 kg/m 2 and above). Current approaches to tackling obesity target a number of actors in the food system, ranging from food manufacturers to consumers and the healthcare system. Over the years, the various health policies implemented in several Western countries have led to the conclusion that these approaches have limited effectiveness. Recently, reflection to identify new levers for fostering healthy food choices has focused on the way food information is processed by individuals: a form of "cognitive vulnerability" to the food environment seems to influence eating behaviour, and could be a potential factor in the development and maintenance of obesity.