Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess factors determining the reaction of individuals to the threats of overweight and obesity.
Its aim is also to examine the interdependencies between weight-reducing strategies. The study encompasses a cross-country
survey covering 19 countries and 13,155 interviews. Data were analyzed using a bivariate probit model that allows simultaneously
analyzing two weight-reducing strategies. Results show that weight-reducing strategies chosen are not independent from each other.
Findings also reveal that different strategies are chosen by different population segments. Women are more likely to change their
dietary patterns and less likely to become physically active after surpassing a weight threshold. In addition, the probability of a dietary
change in case of overweight differs considerably between countries. The study also reveals that attitudes are an important factor
for the strategy choice. It is vital for public health policies to understand determinants of citizens’ engagement in weight reduction
strategies once a certain threshold is reached. Thus, results can support the design of public health campaigns and programmes that
aim to change community or national health behaviour trends taking into account, e.g., national differences.

Biography

Nikolai Reynolds completed his PhD at the University of Bonnin Germany at the Chair for Market Research and is today, an appointed Lecturer at the same chair. In the
private industry, at Ipsos - An international market research company - he heads two business units as a Director: Ipsos Healthcare and Ipsos InnoQuest. He has published
more than 30 papers and has been for four years a member of an advisory board for an EU Commission co-financed international research program focusing on supply
chain relationships in the LATAM and the EU.