ABSTRACT
Obesity is a significant social problem reaching pandemic levels in the developed world. While obesity is influenced by genetic and behavioural factors, the environmental influences have yet to be fully explored and understood. Obesity prevention and treatment have focused on pharmacological, educational and behavioural interventions, but a novel and longer term approach would be to identify and combat the environments that promote high energy intake and sedentary behaviour. Obesogenic environments have been defined as ‘the sum of influences that the surroundings, opportunities, or conditions of life have on promoting obesity’ (Swinburn et al. 1999: 564). These environments are perceived to be a driving force behind the escalating obesity epidemic and therefore warrant a multidisciplinary approach to investigate this concept.
