MITIGATING EUROPEAN SENIOR POPULATION OBESITY THROUGH A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE AND URBAN ENVIRONMENT E. INELMEN, E.M. INELMEN*, M.L. GAZERRO** AND G. SECCO** Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey *Researcher, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Geriatrics Section, University of Padua, Italy ** Associated Professor, Department of Geography, University of Padua, Italy ** Researcher, Department of Geography, University of Padua, Italy

During a presentation in the GEOMED Conference in Irsee this year (GAZERRO et al., 2004), the authors argued that to improve the life quality of the senior population living in urban areas, “green areas” should be rehabilitated in order to facilitate their need for physical activity. Introduction

PHILOSOPHY GEOGRAPHY MEDICINEECONOMY TECHNOLOGY POLITICS EDUCATION spaceformation prevention conformation contribution responsability awarness governance LAW PSYCHOLOGY SOCIOLOGY WELFARE food shelter security leisure freedom equality solidarity obesity hills >>> plateaus senior Proposal

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Obesity has reached epidemic levels not only in Western societies but also in non-industrialized countries. Obesity is increasing at all ages and it is becoming an important pathology in Geriatrics because it causes disability and because of its life quality impairment consequences Inelmen et al, 2003 Background

The sharp rise in the prevalence of obesity almost in all the world has led to suggestions that the current eating environment promotes excessive energy intake PETERS ET AL, 2002; ROLLS,2003

Inexpensive high-energy variety of palatable foods meals outside home snacking large portion sizes!!! OVER-EATING... ROLLS ET AL, 2004

The general increase in portion sizes might have played an important role in the rapid rise of obesity prevalence BELLISLE,2003

Snacks Sweeteners Desserts Candy had risen dramatically in recent years Excessive variety in the habitual diet GALLO,1997

Use of the sample of the European senior population (Euronut-SENECA, 1991) in order to highlight the relation between urban environment, lifestyle, physical activity and obesity Method

The most used anthropometric index to define obesity, also in seniors, is the BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) which is the ratio of the weight to the squared height. WEIGHT (KG) / HEIGHT (M) 2 95 / 1.73*2 = 31.6

Classification of overweight and obesity (according to BMI) BMI (KG/M 2 ) UNDERWEIGHT <18.5 NORMALWEIGHT OVERWEIGHT OBESITY ≥ 30 LIGIO’99 LINEE GUIDA ITALIANE OBESITA’

The analysis of food consumption has recently emerged as a useful tool for elucidating relationships between: DIET WEIGHT GAIN HEALTH SLATTERY ET AL, 1998; HU ET AL, 1999, HU ET AL, 2000

The relation between dietary variety and body weight might depend on the types of food consumed

Mean BMI (Body Mass Index) of the senior population (men) in the 18 European cities according to EURONUT-SENECA Results

Mean BMI (Body Mass Index) of the senior population (women) in the 18 European cities according to EURONUT-SENECA

BMI

Comparing the different dietary habits it was found that even though the diet can be considered healthy according to the Food Guide Pyramid as it is the case of the Mediterranean diet, overweight and obesity was frequent

To stop the worldwide obesity diets are undoubtedly not the answer! LEBLANC,2003 DIETS NO Discussion

Instead, a focus on healthy active living within families, schools, communities and at all levels of government should be adopted. Healthy food choices should be promoted LEBLANC,2003

Urban environment must be enriched by conforming the “suburban layout” to the “natural landscape” using “meandering routes” with slight slopes that make seniors enjoy walking in the open air and so will facilitate their physical exercise.

Life expectancy is in the increase in all countries as a consequence of improvements in the health expenditures. Paradoxically the increase in life expectancy is putting pressure on the welfare budget originally designed to improve the health standing. Conclusion

To mitigate human obesity - as lack of physical activity is one of the major factors - * alternative budgeting polices need to be proposed * healthier lifestyles have to be supported Multidisciplinary approach....

Euronut-SENECA investigators. Description of survey towns and populations, in “Eur J Clin Nutr”, 1991, 45 (Suppl 3), pp M.L. Gazerro, G. SECCO, E.M. INELMEN, E. INELMEN, Improving Elderly’s Health and Quality of Life through Green Areas, in CD-Presentations: Emerging Issues in Medical Geography, Irsee, Agosto E.M. INELMEN, G. SERGI, A. COIN, F. MIOTTO, S. PERUZZA AND G. ENZI, Can obesity be a risk factor in elderly people?, in “Obesity reviews”, 2003, 4, pp US Department of Health and Human Service, Nutrition and your health: dietary guidelines for Americans, Washington DC: US Government Printing Office, 4 th ed., References * * * *

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