Optimal Intervention Strategies for the Spread of Obesity

Abstract

The present study considers a deterministic compartmental model for obesity dynamics. The model exhibits forward bifurcation at basic reproduction number, ${\mathcal{R}}_0=1$, that is; for , obesity is not sustained. However for ${\mathcal{R}}_0>1$ the model approaches a locally asymptotically stable endemic equilibrium. To control this epidemic and reduce the obesity at the endemic equilibrium, we considered intervention strategies for the spread of overweight and obesity, where Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle is applied. The numerical technique was used to show that there are effective control strategies that include minimizing the social contact rate with the overweight and obese population and campaigning. Numerical results indicated the effects of the two controls (prevention and education/campaigning) to be different. In societies with lower obesity, the social contact rate with the overweight and obese population plays a more prominent role in spreading obesity than lack of educational programs/campaigns. However, for societies with very high obesity burden, education/campaigning proved to be highly effective strategies. Reducing the social contact rate can result in other results such as a depression and an invasion of their individual rights. The appropriate approach to obesity is needed to lower obese societies.