Across the Pond, Across the Waistline: A Comparative Look at the Childhood Obesity Crisis in the United States and United Kingdom

Author

Samantha N. Eales, Murray State UniversityFollow

Date on Honors Thesis

12-2025

Major

Public and Community Health

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Elizabeth Gordon, Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Mrs. Kimberly Minter-Verge, Committee Member

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Jessica Naber, Committee Member

Abstract/Description

Childhood obesity is no longer just a local concern; it’s a global epidemic shaping the health of future generations. This paper compares how two similar nations with drastically different healthcare systems, the United States and the United Kingdom, tackle this growing crisis. Although both countries struggle with fast food culture, sedentary lifestyles, and targeted marketing, their health policy strategies differ dramatically. The U.S. leans on community programs and education, while the U.K. enforces stronger national regulations and advertising restrictions. By examining nutrition, physical activity, and policy, this thesis explores what each country does well and where they fall short. It also connects the global outlook on childhood obesity to local action through a health promotion project in Western Kentucky that uses yoga to encourage physical activity in elementary school-aged children. Together, these comparisons reveal that combating childhood obesity globally demands a holistic approach that unites healthcare systems, education, and government policy to create healthier futures for children worldwide.

Recommended Citation

Eales, Samantha N., "Across the Pond, Across the Waistline: A Comparative Look at the Childhood Obesity Crisis in the United States and United Kingdom" (2025). Honors College Theses. 307.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/honorstheses/307