Obesity: Chapter 10 - Environmental factors related to the obesity epidemic

Elsevier, Obesity, 2020, Pages 117-139
Authors: 
Lindsey G. Kahan and Raman Mehrzad

Obesity is a multi-factorial disease with personal, environmental, genetic, and social influences. While at its core obesity results from an excess of energy intake compared to output, the complex relationship between variables leading to both individual and population-level obesity should be better understood through an environmental lens. The way one interacts with the environment is critical to development, and understanding which factors are within one’s control can help guide personal and policy initiatives. Several neighborhood-level factors have been shown to be associated with obesity, such as food availability and safety. Environmental factors within the home have also been shown to influence dietary choices, physical activity, and obesity rates. In this chapter, we will depict the environmental factors related to the obesity epidemic.