Myths, presumptions, and facts about obesity

Krista Casazza; Kevin R Fontaine; Arne Astrup; Leann L Birch; Andrew W Brown; Michelle M Bohan Brown; Nefertiti Durant; Gareth Dutton; E Michael Foster; Steven B Heymsfield; Kerry McIver; Tapan Mehta; Nir Menachemi; P K Newby; Russell Pate; Barbara J Rolls; Bisakha Sen; Daniel L Smith; Diana M Thomas; David B Allison

doi:10.1056/NEJMsa1208051

Myths, presumptions, and facts about obesity

Krista Casazza, Kevin R Fontaine, Arne Astrup, Leann L Birch, Andrew W Brown, Michelle M Bohan Brown, Nefertiti Durant, Gareth Dutton, E Michael Foster, Steven B Heymsfield, Kerry McIver, Tapan Mehta, Nir Menachemi, P K Newby, Russell Pate, Barbara J Rolls, Bisakha Sen, Daniel L Smith, Diana M Thomas, David B Allison

Institut for Idræt og Ernæring - Fedmeforskning

287 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

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.)

Originalsprog	Engelsk
Tidsskrift	New England Journal of Medicine
Vol/bind	368
Udgave nummer	5
Sider (fra-til)	446-454
Antal sider	9
ISSN	0028-4793
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa1208051
Status	Udgivet - 31 jan. 2013

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Casazza, K., Fontaine, K. R., Astrup, A., Birch, L. L., Brown, A. W., Bohan Brown, M. M., Durant, N., Dutton, G., Foster, E. M., Heymsfield, S. B., McIver, K., Mehta, T., Menachemi, N., Newby, P. K., Pate, R., Rolls, B. J., Sen, B., Smith, D. L., Thomas, D. M., & Allison, D. B. (2013). Myths, presumptions, and facts about obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(5), 446-454. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa1208051

Casazza, K, Fontaine, KR, Astrup, A, Birch, LL, Brown, AW, Bohan Brown, MM, Durant, N, Dutton, G, Foster, EM, Heymsfield, SB, McIver, K, Mehta, T, Menachemi, N, Newby, PK, Pate, R, Rolls, BJ, Sen, B, Smith, DL, Thomas, DM & Allison, DB 2013, 'Myths, presumptions, and facts about obesity', New England Journal of Medicine, bind 368, nr. 5, s. 446-454. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa1208051

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abstract = "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.)",

author = "Krista Casazza and Fontaine, {Kevin R} and Arne Astrup and Birch, {Leann L} and Brown, {Andrew W} and {Bohan Brown}, {Michelle M} and Nefertiti Durant and Gareth Dutton and Foster, {E Michael} and Heymsfield, {Steven B} and Kerry McIver and Tapan Mehta and Nir Menachemi and Newby, {P K} and Russell Pate and Rolls, {Barbara J} and Bisakha Sen and Smith, {Daniel L} and Thomas, {Diana M} and Allison, {David B}",

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doi = "10.1056/NEJMsa1208051",

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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 - CURIS 2013 NEXS 030

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.)

U2 - 10.1056/NEJMsa1208051

DO - 10.1056/NEJMsa1208051

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23363498

SN - 0028-4793

VL - 368

SP - 446

EP - 454

JO - New England Journal of Medicine

JF - New England Journal of Medicine

IS - 5

ER -

Myths, presumptions, and facts about obesity

Abstract

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