International Handbook of the Demography of Obesity

This handbook provides a demographic examination of global obesity trends by bringing together the range of research conducted in this field by demographers, sociologists, epidemiologists, and other quantitatively and demographically oriented social scientists. It utilizes a multidisciplinary demographic approach to provide insights into the global prevalence and mechanisms of obesity, as well as the population level impacts of rising obesity. Major sections include: global obesity trends and prevalence; obesity and demographic structures, processes, and characteristics; emerging areas of study; and obesity in LGBAT populations. This handbook provides readers with a broad understanding of population-based research on obesity and serves as a resource for scholars, students, policymakers, and researchers. Preface Contents Contributors Part I: Global Obesity Patterns and Implications 1: Global Obesity Patterns, an Introduction Development of the Demographic Study of Obesity Overall Trends in Obesity Demographic Analyses of Obesity Consequences of Rising Obesity Population-Based Perspectives on Rising Overweight and Obesity Tools and Methods Employed by Demographers References 2: Obesity: A Long-Term Global Challenge Obesity and Health Over the Life Course Health Conditions Associated with Obesity in Adults and Children Cardiometabolic Conditions Respiratory Conditions Other Physical Consequences of Obesity Short- and Long-Term Psychological Outcomes COVID-19 Pandemic Lifestyle Factors, and Social and Environmental Determinants of Obesity Obesity Trend Estimation Definition of Obesity Global Obesity Estimation Obesity Trends Overview Obesity in Key Countries China India Brazil South Africa Germany Iran USA Nauru Japan Future Obesity Monitoring Conclusions References 3: Economic Costs of Obesity in Europe Introduction Empirical Approaches to Studying Obesity and Labour Market Outcomes Methodological Approaches Identifying Obesity-Related Penalties Review of the Empirical Literature Obesity and Earnings Obesity and Employment Potential Mediators Modifying Role of Culture and Labour Market Institutions Methodological Challenges and Future Studies Methodological Advancements Data Improvements Novel Outcomes and the Role of Moderators and Mediators Conclusions References 4: Impact of Obesity on Life Expectancy Among Different European Countries, 1975-2012 Introduction Data and Methods Results Obesity-Attributable Mortality in Europe and the USA Impact of Obesity on Life Expectancy Levels in Europe and the USA Changes Over Time in the Impact of Obesity on Life Expectancy Levels in Europe and the USA Impact of Obesity on Trends in Life Expectancy in Europe and the USA Discussion Summary of Results Explanation of Results Evaluation of Data and Methods Conclusion and Implications Future Research Directions References 5: Obesity with Chinese Characteristics? Prevalence and Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in China Introduction The Significance of Studying Overweight and Obesity in China Surveys and Measures Childhood and Elderly Obesity The Childhood Obesity Epidemic in China Birth Weight, Dietary Patterns, and Lifestyle Social Disparities in Childhood Obesity Obesity and Overweight Among Elderly Adults Sex Disparities and Related Causes of Obesity/Overweight Socioeconomic and Behavioral Disparities Dietary Behaviors, Living Environment, and Overweight/Obesity Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle and Overweight/Obesity The Global Context of China ́s Obesity Epidemic Appendix: Summary of Articles Reviewed on Obesity and/or Overweight in China References Part II: Obesity and Demographic Processes, Structures, and Characteristics 6: Obesity and Mortality Introduction Estimating the Relative Risks of Death Associated with Obesity for Purposes of Measuring Obesity ́s Aggregate Mortality Effect Causal Identification of the Mortality Risks Associated with Obesity Incorporating Obesity Histories to Obtain More Accurate Estimates of the Death Risks Associated with Obesity Evidence of Obesity ́s Role on Aggregate Mortality Levels and Trends Conclusion References 7: Obesity and Immigration Introduction Literature Review The United States Context Patterns and Prevalence of Obesity Among Immigrants to the United States The Hispanic Paradox Acculturation and Overweight/Obesity Structural Causes of Obesity Methodological Approaches and Challenges Future Research Conclusion References 8: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in U.S. Obesity Prevalence: What Have We Learned from Demographic and Population Health Scien... Introduction The Obesogenic Nature of the U.S. Society and Its Implications for Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Obesity Obesity Among U.S. Hispanics Obesity Among Black Women Obesity Among Asians Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Obesity and Longevity Limitations of Research to Date and Future Research Directions References 9: Race/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Obesity Introduction Surveillance and Measurement Disparities Self-Reports Versus Objective Measures Incidence and Prevalence Mechanisms Behaviors Biological Factors Neighborhood Context Social Connectedness Policy and Population-Level Interventions Randomized Clinical Trials for Obesity Interventions Social Policies and Large-Scale Interventions Conclusion References 10: Sibling Effects on the Development of Obesity Sibling Theory Sibling Absence and Obesity: The Evidence Mechanisms of Sibling Effects Sibling Absence as the Cause of Obesity Epidemics Implications for Theories Conclusion References Part III: Emerging Areas of Study 11: Fit for Christ or Gluttons for God? An Overview of Research on Religion and Body Mass Introduction Studies of Religion and Body Mass The United States Context The International Context Summary Mediators of Religion and Body Mass Obesogenic Mechanisms Leptogenic Mechanisms Summary Moderators of Religion and Body Mass Gender and Race Age Summary Directions for Future Research Theoretical Issues Methodological Issues Conclusion References 12: Psychosocial Stressors and Obesity What Is Stress? Pathways Linking Psychological Stress to Obesity Psychosocial Stressors and Obesity Childhood Adversity Occupational Stress Financial Strain Discrimination Neighborhood Stress Cumulative Stress Future Research A Better Understanding of Pathways Gene x Stress Interaction Conclusion References 13: The Neighborhood Environment and Overweight/Obesity Introduction Organizational Resources Food Access and Quality Recreation Environmental Quality Walkability Neighborhood Land Use Green Space Neighborhood Social Environment Neighborhood SES and Segregation Crime and Perceptions of Neighborhood Safety Conclusions and Future Directions References 14: Treatment and Outcome Disparities for Patients with Obesity in Emergency Medical Services Introduction Background Treatment Disparities in Healthcare Emergency Medical Services Research Question and Hypothesis Data, Measures, and Methods Data Analytic Sample Outcome Variables Independent Variable Control Variables Results Patient Characteristics Pain Screening Results Pain Medication Results Pain Outcome Results Discussion Pain Screening Pain Medications Pain Outcomes Gender and Obesity in EMS Treatment Limitations Implications of the Findings and Future Directions Conclusion References Part IV: Obesity in Sexual Minority Populations 15: Obesity Prevalence and Trends in the Asexual and Sexual Populations Introduction Conceptualizing Sexuality and Asexuality What Is Asexuality? Prevalence of Asexuality Asexuals and Sexuals with Obesity: A Review of Literature Data: 2017-2019 U.S. National Survey of Family Growth Results, Female Respondents Results, Male Respondents Conclusion References 16: Are Gay Men More Fit? Obesity and Overweight Differences Among Gay and Straight Men Conceptualizing Sexual Orientation Conceptualizing Obesity and Overweight Are Gay Males More or Less Likely to Have Overweight and Obesity than Straight Males? A Review of the Literature Data: 2017-2019 U.S. National Survey of Family Growth Measures Analysis Results Conclusion References 17: Prevalence and Trends in Obesity and Overweight Among U.S. Women: Do Lesbians Differ from Straight Women? Current Prevalence and Trends The 2017-2019 U.S. National Survey of Family Growth Measures Results Discussion and Conclusion References 18: Obesity and Bisexuality: Is Being `Bi ́ an Issue? Introduction Background Sexual Orientation Availability of Demographic Data on Sexual Behavior Review of Bisexual and Obesity Research Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (WA-BRFSS) National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) Longitudinal and Non-federal Studies Obesity in Bisexuals: Mechanisms and Explanations Methodology Data Measures Results Conclusion References 19: Prevalence and Trends in Obesity Across Gender Identities Background Researchers Argue for Transgender Data Inclusion of Sexual Orientation and Gender in Federal Surveys Administrative Records An Analysis of Transgender Individuals, BRFSS 2020 Sample Measures Findings Conclusion and Directions for Future Research References 20: Conclusions, Review, and Needed Research Future Research Directions References Index