TY - JOUR
T1 - Myths, presumptions, and facts about obesity
AU - Casazza, Krista
AU - Fontaine, Kevin R.
AU - Astrup, Arne
AU - Birch, Leann L.
AU - Brown, Andrew W.
AU - Bohan Brown, Michelle M.
AU - Durant, Nefertiti
AU - Dutton, Gareth
AU - Foster, E. Michael
AU - Heymsfield, Steven B.
AU - McIver, Kerry
AU - Mehta, Tapan
AU - Menachemi, Nir
AU - Newby, P. K.
AU - Pate, Russell
AU - Rolls, Barbara J.
AU - Sen, Bisakha
AU - Smith, Daniel L.
AU - Thomas, Diana M.
AU - Allison, David B.
N1 - Funding Information:
Supported in part by a grant (P30DK056336) from the National Institutes of Health.
PY - 2013/1/31
Y1 - 2013/1/31
N2 - BACKGROUND: Many beliefs about obesity persist in the absence of supporting scientific evidence (presumptions); some persist despite contradicting evidence (myths). The promulgation of unsupported beliefs may yield poorly informed policy decisions, inaccurate clinical and public health recommendations, and an unproductive allocation of research resources and may divert attention away from useful, evidence-based information. METHODS: Using Internet searches of popular media and scientific literature, we identified, reviewed, and classified obesity-related myths and presumptions. We also examined facts that are well supported by evidence, with an emphasis on those that have practical implications for public health, policy, or clinical recommendations. RESULTS: We identified seven obesity-related myths concerning the effects of small sustained increases in energy intake or expenditure, establishment of realistic goals for weight loss, rapid weight loss, weight-loss readiness, physical-education classes, breast-feeding, and energy expended during sexual activity. We also identified six presumptions about the purported effects of regularly eating breakfast, early childhood experiences, eating fruits and vegetables, weight cycling, snacking, and the built (i.e., human-made) environment. Finally, we identified nine evidence-supported facts that are relevant for the formulation of sound public health, policy, or clinical recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: False and scientifically unsupported beliefs about obesity are pervasive in both scientific literature and the popular press. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health.)
AB - BACKGROUND: Many beliefs about obesity persist in the absence of supporting scientific evidence (presumptions); some persist despite contradicting evidence (myths). The promulgation of unsupported beliefs may yield poorly informed policy decisions, inaccurate clinical and public health recommendations, and an unproductive allocation of research resources and may divert attention away from useful, evidence-based information. METHODS: Using Internet searches of popular media and scientific literature, we identified, reviewed, and classified obesity-related myths and presumptions. We also examined facts that are well supported by evidence, with an emphasis on those that have practical implications for public health, policy, or clinical recommendations. RESULTS: We identified seven obesity-related myths concerning the effects of small sustained increases in energy intake or expenditure, establishment of realistic goals for weight loss, rapid weight loss, weight-loss readiness, physical-education classes, breast-feeding, and energy expended during sexual activity. We also identified six presumptions about the purported effects of regularly eating breakfast, early childhood experiences, eating fruits and vegetables, weight cycling, snacking, and the built (i.e., human-made) environment. Finally, we identified nine evidence-supported facts that are relevant for the formulation of sound public health, policy, or clinical recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: False and scientifically unsupported beliefs about obesity are pervasive in both scientific literature and the popular press. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health.)
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U2 - 10.1056/NEJMsa1208051
DO - 10.1056/NEJMsa1208051
M3 - Article
C2 - 23363498
AN - SCOPUS:84873033923
SN - 0028-4793
VL - 368
SP - 446
EP - 454
JO - New England Journal of Medicine
JF - New England Journal of Medicine
IS - 5
ER -