Community and Public Health Nutrition

Running head: COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
Community and Public Health Nutrition
Name of student:
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COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
Question 2
Background
Obesity is a global concern at the contemporary era, drawing attention of the public
health researchers at different levels. Not only adults but children and adolescents in China are
also contributing to high prevalence rate of the condition. There is a growing consensus that the
drastic effect of obesity on mental, physical as well as social functioning among young
individuals is noteworthy (Ko et al., 2008).
The Census and Statistics Department survey carried out in the year 2015 gave a clear
picture of obesogenic environment among youth in Hong Kong. In terms of overall health status,
almost 1.3% of young individuals aged below 25 years had been suffering from at least one
chronic disease in the year 2014. Around 13% of youth aged 18-24 were found to be obese or
overweight in the decade between 2004 and 2014. Further, more than a quarter of this population
was underweight. It is to be brought into focus that the physical activity level of youths with age
between 18-24 years in the years between 2005 and 2014 was around 51.3% to 61.1%. The level
of physical activity was denoted as moderate. It was only after the year 2008 that the physical
activity level witnessed an increasing trend (coy.gov.hk, 2015).
The study by Sun et al. (2014) examined the trends and prevalence of obesity among
children among adolescents and children in the country of China between the years 1985 and
2010. It was found that age-adjusted prevalence of obesity and of overweight and obesity
combined was found to be at 8.1% (95% CI, 8.0–8.3%) and 19.2% (95% CI, 19.1–19.4%)
among children and adolescents 7–18 years in age. The risk of being obese was more in male
RR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.90–1.97), urban (RR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.95–2.02), or 10–12 years (RR, 1.43;

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COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
95% CI, 1.40–1.46). The relation of this data to the present context is that obese children are
likely to be at obese condition through their adulthood, suffering from the increased risk of adult
morbidity and mortality.
Media articles published in China account for an increasing trend towards physical
inactivity and western-style nutrition among the youth, leading to adverse health conditions.
Lack of adequate physical activity has been highlighted to be the most significant contributory
factor for obesity. Sedentary lifestyle is the key cause of lack of physical activity, which again is
influenced by social factors such as busy academic or workplace schedule. Absence of suitable
landscapes for engagement in physical exercises is also a driving factor. Young adults are often
found spending times indoors in their leisure time and the advent of modern technologies has
been repeatedly linked with this situation. Western-style nutrition is the need of individuals since
most of the individuals in the age group of 18-25 years are in the nation’s workforces who are in
search of convenient food (Liu et al., 2016).
In spite of the understanding of the growing obesogenic environment across cities such as
Hong Kong, there has been limited consensus on what makes up for the same environment that is
under scrutiny. A suitable framework is essential for addressing the challenge of understanding
the context of environmental research. The Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity
(ANGELO) has been known as a cohesively defined framework that has the capability for
highlighting the contribution of the environment in causing high prevalence rate of obesity and
interpreting research findings. The framework acts as a conceptual model that helps in
understanding the contributing factors to obesity. The fundamental framework divides the
environment into micro and macro elements. The domains considered are physical, economic,
political and socio-culture (Kirk et al., 2010).

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Data gaps
There has been a lack of data that throws light on the driving factors that can motivate
individuals aged between 18-25 activities to take part in increased physical activities and reduce
sedentary behavior. It has been pointed out the data collection process is to be focused around
the viewpoints and perspectives of the individuals themselves. The impact of educational
sessions on the population has been less examined about. Minimal research has been done to
explore the impact of educational sessions and programs on the mindset of individuals and their
approach towards a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle (Adair et al., 2014).
The importance of this absence of data can be pointed out to have a link with the fact that
educational awareness brings in positive changes in health behavior. It is acknowledged that
education program targeting particular populations can strive to reduce the prevalence of obesity.
Educational programs have been indicated across literature to be sustainable and efficacious in
guiding health behavior changes among individuals. In this regard it is to be mentioned that
educational programs are to focus on the key negative impacts of obesity and the decline in
wellbeing and health that a person can suffer. The implementation of educational programs in
various settings has been fruitful in augmenting reduction of obesogenic environment in other
countries. Community settings, schools, universities and workplaces, all act as potential sites for
holding awareness programs (Zhang et al., 2018).
Goal
The goal would be to understand the effectiveness of educational sessions conducted with
the target population of youth aged between 18-25 years in motivating the audience to shift from