Public health interventions against obesity during childhood

According to a new study, led by public health researchers from The University of Manchester, single dietary interventions are not enough for increasing vegetable and fruit consumption in obese children. The team from Manchester Urban Collaboration of Health (MUCH), based at the University considers that more public health-related strategies are needed because obesity rates during childhood are still increasing. “We conducted a systematic review of literature of interventions to increase fruit and/or vegetable consumption in overweight or obese children. We found narrow interventions focusing on single aspects of behaviour are unlikely to achieve long-term change”, said Dr Paula Whittaker, Clinical Lecturer in Public Health at The University of Manchester. Michael Bourke, a fourth year medical student at The University of Manchester also worked on this study. Dr Arpana Verma, Director of MUCH at The University of Manchester was also involved in this study.