The Childhood Obesity Epidemic: Threats and Opportunities

Thursday, June 17, 2010

According to the 2007-2008 NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States – triple the rate from just one generation ago. America’s obese children are at an alarmingly heightened risk for elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and becoming obese adults. The financial cost of childhood obesity tips the scales at 3 billion dollars annually.

This session of Public Health Grand Rounds focused on the contributing factors and consequences of childhood obesity, including decreases in physical activity, socio-economic and environmental determinants, and the advertising practices of the food industry, and discussed efforts to reduce the burden of this public health epidemic.

Presented By

Dr. Cynthia Ogden, Epidemiologist, National Center for Environmental Safety, Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Dr. Bill Dietz, Director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, Overweight and Obesity

Discussants:
Ms. Judith Bell, President, Policylink, program Director, Convergence Partnership
Dr. Victoria Rogers, Director, The Kids CO-OP, The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center

Facilitated By

Tanja Popovic, MD, PhD, Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
Shane Joiner, Communication Manager, Public Health Grand Rounds

Additional Resources

• Let's Go! is a community-based initiative to promote healthy lifestyle choices for children, youth and families in 12 Greater Portland, Maine communities. The initiative is generating fast growing interest across Maine and across the country. Using the consistent message of 5-2-1-0, Let's Go! works in multiple sectors to increase physical activity and healthy eating.