Rationale

Obesity has been the number one nutritional problem in the US for several years and by some estimates has now passed cigarette smoking as the most important preventable behavioral threat to health. National data suggest that what is now a widely recognized epidemic in excessive weight gain has in fact been evolving over a nearly 30-year period. These facts, along with the observation that obesity prevalence continues to advance unabated in the US and world-wide, have spurred an enormous interest by diverse scientific bodies and health advocacy groups in identifying strategies to address this epidemic.

Historically, research on obesity concentrated on the biological origins of individual differences in fatness. Recent population trends, however, have underscored the fact that biological susceptibility is very widespread and, thus, that behavioral and environmental perspectives on the problem are much needed. Increased recognition of the importance of behavioral and environmental factors is now driving requests for research applications in the area from a growing number of funding agencies. This situation presents a golden opportunity for research groups with skills in behavioral research and education related to obesity. The principal opportunity is to provide leadership nationally and internationally in developing the health behavior knowledge base necessary to successfully address the obesity epidemic.

The UMOPC provides an organizational network for drawing together faculty and resources for creative and innovative new research and education initiatives to address the new and challenging issues created by the population-wide obesity epidemic.