Health Affairs Briefing: Child Obesity – The Way Forward
February 21st, 2010
by
Chris Fleming
|
“America is guilty of child abuse,” writes Health Affairs Editor-In-Chief Susan Dentzer in the March 2010 issue of the journal, devoted to combating child obesity. The issue examines the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States, analyzing causes of the growing problem and proposing the best available solutions for healthier future for America’s children.
On March 2, 2010, Health Affairs will welcome policy experts at a briefing to discuss the child obesity epidemic in a series of panel discussions. Speakers will include: William H. Dietz, Director of the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control; and Gopal K Singh, HRSA/Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
WHERE: National Press Club [Metro Center], 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC 20045
RSVP: RSVP for this event online.
Among the topics to be addressed:
- What are current trends in childhood obesity in the U.S.?
- What is contributing to the problem?
- What solutions can be implemented to build a healthier future for America’s children?
- What roles should federal, state and local governments; schools; businesses; and families and parents play in combating childhood obesity?
Background
Child obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States, with obesity rates more than tripling over the last 30 years. Today, one in three children is either overweight or obese. The consequences could be devastating. Obesity contributes to a variety of chronic and other diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer. Recent studies have shown that spending on hospitalization, emergency room and outpatient visits, and prescription drugs increases for obese and overweight children. There is also research demonstrating that children who are overweight or obese are more likely to repeat a grade in school than their peers.
This briefing is sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Health Affairs will offer live Twitter updates from the event on HA_Events at #HAobesity.
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