Across the Pond, Across the Waist: A Comparative Look at the Childhood Obesity Crisis in the United States and the United Kingdom
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Public and Community Health
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Elizabeth Gordon
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
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.
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Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Across the Pond, Across the Waist: A Comparative Look at the Childhood Obesity Crisis in the United States and the United Kingdom
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.