Rebecca Lee – Reversing the Obesogenic Environment

Dr. Rebecca Lee

As researchers have continued to explore the global crisis of obesity, they realize it is not enough to convince people of the benefits of healthful eating and regular physical activity. Investigators have come face-to-face with the question: What happens when people go home to a neighborhood where fresh vegetables are not available and opportunities for physical activity are hard to find?

In her new book, Reversing the Obesogenic Environment, Dr. Rebecca Lee introduces the concept of the obesogenic environment - one that leads people to become obese - and provides ways to alter one’s environment to encourage healthier choices.

Until now there has not been an authoritative text regarding the obesity epidemic. Dr. Lee, professor in the department of health and human performance and director of the Texas Obesity Research Center (TORC) has set a tone in the book that speaks to the wide spectrum of interested parties. Scientists, politicians, community members and students are a few who have vested interests.

“I think that practitioners, policy makers and the public have all started to realize that obesity happens everywhere. it is no longer an individual clinical problem. It is a complex system problem, which means there are multiple points that need to be addressed. Obesity is a failure at all levels of the system,” Lee said.

Contributing to the book were two of Dr. Lee’s researchers, Kristen McAlexander (Ph.D. ‘10), a lecturer in applied physiology and wellness at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and Jorge Banda (‘04, M.S. ‘07), a doctoral candidate in exercise science and a research assistant at the University of South Carolina.

Click to read excerpts and to order the book.

-- Martha Hayes