Health Outcomes - Obesity
Childhood obesity, defined as a body mass index greater than or equal to the 95%tile for age, has been increasing in the general population since the 1970s. However, certain children are more affected than others, specifically children from lower socioeconomic groups and different ethnic backgrounds. Many of the Healthy People 2020 objectives track childhood obesity. Do your own search (see the link to Healthy People 2020 below). What are some of the disparities you notice? Why do they exist? What are some potential interventions at the individual, community and policy level that could improve these health outcomes?
National Health Statistics
Local Health Statistics
Policy Statements
American Academy of Pediatrics
(All documents are verbatim abstracts)
PEDIATRICS Vol. 112 No. 2 August 2003, pp. 424-430
Prevention of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity
Committee on Nutrition
The dramatic increase in the prevalence of childhood overweight and its resultant comorbidities are associated with significant health and financial burdens, warranting strong and comprehensive prevention efforts. This statement proposes strategies for early identification of excessive weight gain by using body mass index, for dietary and physical activity interventions during health supervision encounters, and for advocacy and research.
Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index
PEDIATRICS Vol. 117 No. 5 May 2006, pp. 1834-1842 (doi:10.1542/peds.2006-0472)
Active Healthy Living: Prevention of Childhood Obesity Through Increased Physical Activity
Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness and Council on School Health
The current epidemic of inactivity and the associated epidemic of obesity are being driven by multiple factors (societal, technologic, industrial, commercial, financial) and must be addressed likewise on several fronts. Foremost among these are the expansion of school physical education, dissuading children from pursuing sedentary activities, providing suitable role models for physical activity, and making activity-promoting changes in the environment. This statement outlines ways that pediatric health care providers and public health officials can encourage, monitor, and advocate for increased physical activity for children and teenagers.
Key Words: healthy living • physical activity • obesity • overweight • advocacy • children • youth
Abbreviations: PE—physical education • AAP—American Academy of Pediatrics
PEDIATRICS Vol. 123 No. 6 June 2009, pp. 1591-1598 (doi:10.1542/peds.2009-0750)
The Built Environment: Designing Communities to Promote Physical Activity in Children
Committee on Environmental Health
An estimated 32% of American children are overweight, and physical inactivity contributes to this high prevalence of overweight. This policy statement highlights how the built environment of a community affects children's opportunities for physical activity. Neighborhoods and communities can provide opportunities for recreational physical activity with parks and open spaces, and policies must support this capacity. Children can engage in physical activity as a part of their daily lives, such as on their travel to school. Factors such as school location have played a significant role in the decreased rates of walking to school, and changes in policy may help to increase the number of children who are able to walk to school. Environment modification that addresses risks associated with automobile traffic is likely to be conducive to more walking and biking among children. Actions that reduce parental perception and fear of crime may promote outdoor physical activity. Policies that promote more active lifestyles among children and adolescents will enable them to achieve the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. By working with community partners, pediatricians can participate in establishing communities designed for activity and health.
Key Words: physical activity • youth • neighborhood • active transport • walk to school • parks • built environment • active living • urban design • pedestrian safety
Resources
Individual
- Fact and Tip Sheets (Produced by California LEAN)
- Nutrition Games for children (Produced by Nourish Interactive)
- Recipes (in English and Spanish - Produced by California Champions for Change)
Home
Neighborhood
- Collective Roots, Organize East Palo Alto Farmer’s Market
- Food Bank Locator
- Google Maps, locate a park near you
City
County
- Bay Area Nutrition and Physical Activity Collaborative
- The First Five Collaborative
- Get Healthy San Mateo
State
- California Champions for Change
- California Department of Education
- California Food Policy Advocates
- California Project LEAN
National