Childhood obesity in Taiwan: Review of the Taiwanese literature

Abstract

In a number of countries, including Taiwan, the prevalence of childhood obesity has been steadily increasing. A study to assess school nurses' perspective on their role in supporting children and preventing childhood obesity in Taiwan is currently being undertaken. A search of the literature reveals that most research publications come from the West and these studies have been useful. However, it is important to isolate the research and policy materials that take into account the contextually and culturally relevant factors in Taiwan and neighboring countries. Findings from a review of the Taiwanese literature are presented in this paper. The literature reveals the factors associated with the prevalence of childhood obesity and prevention strategies. A significant proportion of the research is medical and focuses on cardiovascular disease rather than health promotion and education. However, there are findings in this review that generally support health promotion activities and programs that are school based. There appears to be an urgent need for investment in research that assesses the long-term effectiveness of interventions designed to promote the maintenance of healthy weight during childhood in the Taiwanese society. Western literature is referred to occasionally in this paper in order to introduce an issue or to compare with a Taiwanese paper.

Obesity, fitness and health in Taiwanese children and adolescents

“…Two recent papers reviewed the literature for childhood obesity in Taiwan (Chu, 2005;Hsieh and FitzGerald, 2005). One focused on the factors associated with childhood obesity and prevention strategies (Hsieh and FitzGerald, 2005). The other addressed the prevalence and trend of obesity in Taiwan from 1980 to 1996 where obesity was defined as 4120% of mean body weight (Chu, 2005).…”

“…Other studies have used 85th and 95th body mass index (BMI) percentiles for age or weight greater than 120% ideal body weight (Lee et al, 1994;Lee, 1995;Lin et al, 1998). Two recent papers reviewed the literature for childhood obesity in Taiwan (Chu, 2005;Hsieh and FitzGerald, 2005). One focused on the factors associated with childhood obesity and prevention strategies (Hsieh and FitzGerald, 2005).…”

Mother’s nutritional label use and children’s body weight

“…In 2007, approximately 25% of children in Taiwan are considered overweight (TMASO, 2007). The prevention of childhood obesity is now one of the primary policy objectives in Taiwan (Chu, 2005;Hsieh and FitzGerald, 2005).…”

Identifying geographical variations in poverty-obesity relationships: empirical evidence from Taiwan

“…Given the lack of a recognised clinical standard, Taiwanese health officials have adopted a BMI cut-off of 24 for overweight and of 27 for obesity. Based on these definitions, the prevalence of obesity has increased rapidly in the past two decades, especially among children and male adults (Chu, 2001(Chu, , 2005Lin et al, 2003;Hsieh and FitzGerald, 2005). Recent reports indicate that the prevalence of overweight in adults in Taiwan is 23.9%, while that of obesity is 13.4% (Chu, 2005).…”