All Episodes

September 24, 2025 27 mins

"Is walking to school really enough to tackle childhood obesity?" In this third episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen and Dr. Rob Noonan explore the complex issue of childhood obesity and the social factors that contribute to it. Dr. Noonan shares surprising findings from his research, showing that while children from deprived areas are more likely to walk to school, they are also more likely to struggle with obesity. This challenges the assumption that simply increasing physical activity, like walking, is enough to combat childhood obesity. The discussion delves into the deeper, systemic issues at play, such as poor diets, reduced access to sports, and the social environments in which children live.

The conversation further explores how behavioral interventions alone won’t solve the issue of childhood obesity, as they fail to address the underlying causes - economic, psychological, and environmental factors. Dr. Noonan calls for a broader, policy-driven approach that creates healthier environments for children, rather than just relying on individual behavior change. If you're interested in how policy, environment, and health are interconnected, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the root causes of childhood obesity and what needs to be done to tackle it effectively.

____________________________________________

This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | Better Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Research with Less Hassle

---

Collect, store and manage SB and PA data easily and remotely -

Discover ground-breaking Fibion SENS

---

SB and PA measurements, analysis, and feedback made easy. 

Learn more about Fibion Research

---

Learn more about Fibion Sleep and Fibion Circadian Rhythm Solutions.

---

Fibion Kids - Activity tracking designed for children.

---

Explore our Wearables,  Experience sampling method (ESM), Sleep,  Heart rate variability (HRV), Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity article collections for insights on related articles.

---

Refer to our article "Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Measurements" for an exploration of active and sedentary lifestyle assessment methods.

---

Learn about actigraphy in our guide: Exploring Actigraphy in Scientific Research: A Comprehensive Guide.

---

Gain foundational ESM insights with "Introduction to Experience Sampling Method (ESM)" for a comprehensive overview.

---

Explore accelerometer use in health research with our article "Measuring Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior with Accelerometers ".

---

For an introduction to the fundamental aspects of HRV, consider revisiting our Ultimate Guide to Heart Rate Variability.

---

Follow the podcast on Twitter https://twitter.com/PA_Researcher 

Follow host Dr Olli Tikkanen on Twitter https://twitter.com/ollitikkanen 

Follow Fibion on Twitter https://twitter.com/fibion 

Check our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PA_Researcher 

 

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.