The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 43 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Myths, Presumptions, and Facts about Obesity
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Many beliefs about obesity persist in the absence of supporting scientific evidence (presumptions); some persist despite contradicting evidence (myths). The promulgation of unsupported beliefs may yield poorly informed policy decisions, inaccurate clinical and public health recommendations, and an unproductive allocation of research resources and may divert attention away from useful, evidence-based information. METHODS: Using Internet searches of popular media and scientific literature, we identified, reviewed, and classified obesity-related myths and presumptions. We also examined facts that are well supported by evidence, with an emphasis on those that have practical implications for public health, policy, or clinical recommendations. RESULTS: We identified seven obesity-related myths concerning the effects of small sustained increases in energy intake or expenditure, establishment of realistic goals for weight loss, rapid weight loss, weight-loss readiness, physical-education classes, breast-feeding, and energy expended during sexual activity. We also identified six presumptions about the purported effects of regularly eating breakfast, early childhood experiences, eating fruits and vegetables, weight cycling, snacking, and the built (i.e., human-made) environment. Finally, we identified nine evidence-supported facts that are relevant for the formulation of sound public health, policy, or clinical recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: False and scientifically unsupported beliefs about obesity are pervasive in both scientific literature and the popular press. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health.).
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“In our fields of nutrition and obesity, the constant vacillation of headlines and studies purporting that a food is good and then perhaps bad from week to week has contributed to a decreased trust in nutrition science, with many unscientific ideas being advanced through higher exposure (34, 74–77).”
From Issues with data and analyses: Errors, underlying themes, and potential solutions (2018) · cites this paper as [75]
In the citing paper
“Regular exercise has been shown to facilitate weight loss, prevent pain and improve mood and sleep quality in patients with insomnia. Also, potential positive impacts on exercise performance create a positive circle. ( 15 - 18 )”
From Physical exercise as a therapeutic approach for adults with insomnia: Systematic review and meta-analysis (2022) · cites this paper as [16]
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Cites
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Obesity Pathogenesis: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement
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Sleep and exercise: A reciprocal issue?
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Self-citation
Metadata
- Authors
- Casazza, K., Fontaine, K. R., Astrup, A., Birch, L. L., Brown, A. W., Bohan Brown, M. M., Durant, N., Dutton, G., Foster, E. M., Heymsfield, S. B., McIver, K., Mehta, T., Menachemi, N., Newby, P. K., Pate, R., Rolls, B. J., Sen, B., Smith, D. L., Thomas, D. M., & Allison, D. B.
- Affiliations
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center (US)
- University of South Carolina (US)
- Boston University (US)
- Montclair State University (US)
- ORCID
- Venue
- New England Journal of Medicine
- Publisher
- Massachusetts Medical Society
- Published
- 2013-01-31
- Volume
- 368
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 446-454
- ISSN
- 0028-4793 (ISSN-L)
- 1533-4406
- PMC
- PMC3606061
- OpenAlex
- W2101264903
- Cited by
- 442
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 39 · 2017: 46 · 2016: 61 · 2015: 53 · 2014: 75 · 2013: 57
- FWCI
- 83.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- New England Journal of Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Scholar Commons (University of South Carolina) (submittedVersion)
- Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Aetna Foundation
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Pfizer
- AstraZeneca
- GlaxoSmithKline
- PepsiCo
- General Mills
- Coca-Cola Foundation
- Mead Johnson Nutrition
- Almond Board of California
- Archer Daniels Midland
- United Soybean Board
- Orexigen Therapeutics
- Northarvest Bean Growers Association
- Novo Nordisk
- National Institutes of Health (5p01dk042618-15)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R00DK083333, T32DK062710, P30DK026687, P30DK056336, P01-DK042618)
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD043125)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity and Health Practices
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Keywords
- obesity, myth, presumption, public misconceptions, weight loss, energy intake, energy expenditure, weight loss goals, rapid weight loss, physical education, breastfeeding, breakfast, early childhood experiences, fruit and vegetable intake, snacking, built environment, obesity policy, clinical guidelines
- MeSH terms
- Breast Feeding, Energy Intake, Diet, Reducing, Energy Metabolism, Environment, Female, Goals, Humans, Male, Obesity, Weight Loss, Exercise
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