Table 1.

Differences between individual and population based approaches to obesity. Adapted from Swinburn et al (see Further Reading box)

	Individual based approach	Population based approach
Key measures	Body weight, waist, body mass index	Prevalence of overweight and obesity, mean body mass index, mean waist
Key aetiology question	Why is this person obese (or gaining weight)?	Why does this population have a high (or rising) prevalence of obesity?
Main aetiological mechanisms	Genetic, metabolic, hormonal, behavioural	Environmental, cultural, behavioural
Key management question	What are the best long term strategies for reducing the person's body fat?	What are the best long term strategies for reducing the population's mean body fat/waist circumference?
Main management actions	Patient education, behavioural modification, drugs, surgery	Public education, improving food, physical activity environments, policy, planning
Volume of information on aetiology and management	Vast	Minimal
Driving forces for research and action	Immediate and powerful	Distant and weak
Potential for long term benefit to individuals	Modest	Modest
Potential for long-term benefit to populations	Modest	Significant
Sustainability	Poor	High