Primary and Secondary Prevention across Lifespan
Preventing obesity and related non-communicable diseases is a critical public health priority that spans the entire life course, from early childhood through adulthood. Evidence shows that obesity often begins in childhood and strongly predicts health outcomes later in life, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
Early interventions, such as promoting breastfeeding, healthy eating habits and physical activity
can significantly reduce risk and foster lifelong health. Conversely, failure to act early perpetuates
a cycle of chronic disease and premature mortality.
​
Primary prevention strategies, such as creating supportive environments, regulating food marketing and implementing school-based programmes, are essential to reduce risk factors before disease onset. Secondary prevention, including early screening and management in primary care, helps mitigate complications and improve quality of life.
A whole-of-society approach, integrating health systems, education and policy measures, is vital to halt the rising prevalence of obesity and achieve global health targets. Addressing prevention across
the lifespan is not only a medical imperative but also a social and economic necessity.
Reading Task on Health Promotion - Instruction
Read one of the attached articles/texts, alternatively select an article of your own that focuses on the prevention of overweight and obesity. Complete the reading log (available below) to help you engage critically with the material and to record key insights in a structured way.
​
1. Ahmed SK, Mohammed RA. Obesity: Prevalence, causes, consequences, management, preventive strategies and future research directions. Metabol Open. 2025 Jun 14;27:100375. doi: 10.1016/j.metop.2025.100375. PMID: 41041606; PMCID: PMC12486175
This study offers a clear and up-to-date overview of the global prevalence of obesity, its underlying causes (genetic, behavioural, and environmental), and its systemic consequences - including musculoskeletal, metabolic, cardiovascular, and other health risks. This helps students understand why obesity is relevant to physiotherapy in both preventive and rehabilitative contexts. Furthermore,
it outlines evidence-based management and prevention strategies, such as lifestyle interventions
(e.g., diet and increased physical activity) and broader public health measures, providing physiotherapy students with the knowledge to appreciate their potential role in multidisciplinary obesity management and in promoting long-term healthy lifestyles.
​
​
​​​​​​​​
2. Goel A, Reddy S, Goel P. Causes, Consequences, and Preventive Strategies for Childhood Obesity: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2024 Jul 20;16(7):e64985. doi: 10.7759/cureus.64985. PMID: 39161504; PMCID: PMC11332093.
This article addresses the multifactorial origins of childhood obesity, encompassing genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and socioeconomic determinants (e.g., sedentary behaviour, consumption
of ultra-processed foods, and parental and cultural influences). Understanding these factors is essential when considering early intervention and prevention within paediatric physiotherapy. The article also examines both the physical and psychosocial consequences of childhood obesity, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk, orthopaedic complications, metabolic and hepatic disorders, and psychological issues such as depression and low self-esteem. In addition, it outlines evidence-based preventive strategies, such as parental and family engagement, promotion of healthy diets and physical activity, school-based programmes, and policy-level interventions. This provides physiotherapy students with a comprehensive perspective on how, and in which contexts, they may contribute to prevention, health promotion, and rehabilitation as future practitioners.
​
​​​​​
3. WHO acceleration plan to stop obesity, ISBN 978-92-4-007563-4 (electronic version), ISBN 978-92-4-007564-1 (print version)
The WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity provides a global framework to limit rising obesity rates through evidence-based, multisectoral action. It prioritises policies such as sugar-sweetened beverage taxation, nutrition labelling, restrictions on food marketing, and school-based interventions, alongside integration of prevention and management into primary health care. The plan aims to create healthier environments, strengthen health systems, and support countries in meeting global nutrition and NCD targets by 2030.
This resource was developed for the PROMINENCE Open Education Resource (OER) by physiotherapy senior lecturers
at Mälardalen University in Sweden for the Prominence Project, December 2025.