Why Education Does Not Stop Obesity

Chapter summary

Education about overweight and obesity does not stop weight gain. This holds even for parents who are informed about weight gain in younger children.
Many obesity factors are not addressed by education.

Probably, but not always. Many studies from the last decade link childhood and adult obesity.
There is little agreement on the age at which childhood weight becomes an accurate predictor.
Reviews such as Baird and colleagues look at size and growth in infancy. Viner and Cole (2005) followed a national birth cohort and found childhood obesity linked to poorer adult social, educational and psychological outcomes.

Short answer: no. People with more education are less likely to be obese, but that does not show education makes the difference.
In 1998 the best that the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines offered was a checklist for clinicians: reasons for weight loss, history of past attempts, family and work support, understanding of obesity’s causes, attitude to physical activity, time and finances.
A Canadian study of over 5,000 people aged 50 and over followed them after a first diagnosis of heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory disease or diabetes. Even after counselling by a health professional, most did not make major lifestyle changes. Obesity is unlikely to do better.

Public health view: Education and awareness campaigns, including school programs, are a core strategy. Supporters say they build knowledge that can pay off over time, and are cheap.
The author’s view: Knowledge alone does not change behaviour. People need change management: a strong reason, a plan, and a change in the food environment.
Industry: Food companies often argue that education is the answer and that no restrictions are needed. The author notes that this puts all the burden on the consumer.

The three-legged stool says biology, mind and society all matter. Education addresses only part of the mind.
Society, marketing and cost shape food choice as much as knowledge.
Planning and measurement, and small changes you can keep, work better than lectures.

Boxall, A. (2009) Obesity prevention in young children: what does the evidence say? Parliamentary Library, Australia.
Baird, J. et al. (2005) Being big or growing fast: systematic review of size and growth in infancy and later obesity. BMJ 331:929.
Viner, R. and Cole, T. (2005) Adult socioeconomic, educational, social, and psychological outcomes of childhood obesity: a national birth cohort study. BMJ 330:1354.
NHLBI Obesity Education Initiative Expert Panel (1998) Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults.