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| Childhood Obesity Prevention |
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Preventing Obesity and Chronic Diseases through Good Nutrition and Physical Activity fact sheet provides information about childhood obesity in the United States. According to this fact sheet, obesity rates have more than tripled among young people since 1980. Of children and adolescents aged 6–19 years, 16 percent—more than 9 million—are considered overweight. Also, among children and adolescents, annual hospital costs related to obesity were $127 million during 1997–1999 (in 2001 constant U.S. dollars), up from $35 million during 1979–1981. In 2000, the total cost of obesity in the United States was estimated to be $117 billion. Approximately $61 billion was for direct medical costs, and $56 billion for indirect costs. This resource is available on the Web at www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/factsheets/Prevention/obesity.htm.
The prevention of obesity among children yields significant benefits in terms of preventing other related health problems and reducing associated health care costs. The following is a sample of Federal and State resources and initiatives that address the prevention of childhood obesity and related diseases. These examples do not include all resources or initiatives that focus on obesity prevention, but are meant to represent a range of approaches. NCCIC does not endorse any practice, organization, publication, or resource.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
Phone: 703-305-2062
World Wide Web: www.fns.usda.gov/fns/ (in English) www.fns.usda.gov/fns/sp-default.htm (in Spanish)
FNS provides children and needy families better access to food and a more healthful diet through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition education efforts. A major function of FNS is the oversight and management of Federal food programs, such as Food Stamps; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP); School Meals (i.e. National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Special Milk Program); the Summer Food Service Program; and the Food Assistance for Disaster Relief program. FNS’s Web site provides contact information for State agencies administering the child nutrition programs at www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm. FNS’s Web site also provides nutrition education materials at www.fns.usda.gov/fns/nutrition.htm.
The FNS Web site also provides information about several obesity prevention initiatives funded by USDA:
CDC is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is recognized as the lead Federal agency for protecting the health and safety of Americans—at home and abroad—by providing credible information to enhance health decisions and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of citizens.
Nutrition and Physical Activity Program to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases (NPAO)
NPAO is based on a cooperative agreement among the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO) and 28 State health departments. The program was established in fiscal year (FY) 1999 to prevent and control obesity and other chronic diseases by supporting States in developing and implementing nutrition and physical activity interventions, particularly through population-based strategies (e.g., policy-level changes and environmental support).
NPAO funds 21 States at the capacity-building level: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These States are working to establish State infrastructures; plan obesity prevention and control efforts; identify data sources to monitor the burden of obesity; collaborate and coordinate with partners; and begin implementing interventions.
Seven other States are funded at the more advanced, basic-implementation level: Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington. These States are implementing comprehensive nutrition and physical activity plans to prevent and control obesity and other chronic diseases; providing training and technical assistance to communities; implementing and evaluating nutrition and physical activity interventions to prevent obesity; and evaluating the progress and impact of plans and interventions.
More information about this initiative is available on the Web at www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/state_programs/about_us.htm.
The Region III ACF Office initiated the pilot project, I Am Moving, I Am Learning in FY 2005, designed to prevent and reverse the negative consequences of obesity in Head Start children. The original pilot project focused on 17 Head Start programs in Virginia and West Virginia, where the rate of obesity in elementary school children nearly doubled the national average. The project was expanded in FY 2006 in response to enthusiasm from Head Start programs eager to embrace this approach to children’s wellness. The report, I Am Moving, I Am Learning: A Proactive Approach to Addressing Childhood Obesity in Head Start Children: Summary Report, The First Two Years summarizes initiative goals, objectives, and accomplishments. More information is available on the Web at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/region3/docs/Fatherhood/i_am_moving_summary_report.pdf.
The Steps to a HealthierUS is an initiative by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that advances President Bush’s HealthierUS goal of helping Americans live longer, better, and healthier lives. The goal of the President’s HealthierUS initiative is to help Americans take steps to improve personal health and fitness. It encourages all Americans to be physically active every day; eat a nutritious diet; get preventive screenings; and make healthy choices.
The Steps to a HealthierUS 5-year cooperative agreement program funds States, cities, and tribal entities to implement chronic disease prevention efforts focused on reducing the burden of diabetes, overweight, obesity, and asthma. Efforts address three related risk factors: physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use.
Since its inception in FY 2003, the Steps Program has awarded more than $100 million to 40 communities (cities, States, and tribal entities) to implement evidence-based activities. In addition, Steps funds the YMCA of the USA as a national partner to expand the reach of community-based programs. More information about this program is available on the Web at www.healthierus.gov/steps/index.html.
The California Obesity Prevention Initiative (COPI) was established by the California Department of Health Services (DHS) in partnership with the California Obesity Prevention Advisory Group, which consists of representatives from more than 50 organizations and agencies that provide guidance on and recommendations for addressing the issue of obesity. The objective of the initiative is to reduce the prevalence of obesity and its associated health risks in Californians through promotion of physical activity and healthy eating. It also addresses the societal, technological, and environmental influences on obesity. The long-term goals of the initiative are as follows:
For additional information about COPI, call DHS at 916-552-9889 or visit the Web at www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/cdic/copi/default.htm.
The New York Department of Health has several nutrition and physical activity resources available to the public. It operates the Growing Up Healthy Hotline (800-522-5006), which provides information about health care, nutrition, and other health and human services. The hotline provides information and referral 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in English, Spanish, and other languages. The department’s Nutrition Web page provides links to resources about child nutrition resources; eating disorders; and information for schools, parents, and professionals about physical activity and nutrition for youth. This information is available on the Web at www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/nutrition/. The following resources are included:
The New York Department of Health also developed the Eat Well Play Hard initiative, which aims to prevent childhood obesity and reduce long-term risks for chronic disease through promotion of targeted dietary practices and increased physical activity beginning at age 2 years. Funds are provided to groups to ensure that preschool and early elementary age children and families receive consistent and positive messages about nutrition and physical activity. Families are encouraged to adopt the following strategies to achieve lifelong healthy choices, proven in disease prevention: increase the amount of developmentally appropriate physical activity; increase consumption of 1 percent or nonfat milk and low-fat dairy products; and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. Additional information about the initiative is available on the Web at www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/nutrition/resources/ewph.htm.
For more information on these resources and initiatives, contact the New York State Department of Health by calling 518-402-7090 or visiting the Web at www.health.state.ny.us/.
Color Me Healthy is a joint effort between the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and the North Carolina Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health. These two lead organizations also partner with the Start with Your Heart program and the NC Initiative for Healthy Weight in Children and Adolescents. Color Me Healthy is designed to reach children age 4 to 5 years with fun interactive learning opportunities. It provides caregivers quick and easy tools to teach young children about healthy eating and physical activity. For additional information about Color Me Healthy, call the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at 919-515-9142 or visit the Web at www.colormehealthy.com/.
The Building Healthy Families Initiative was launched in September 2004 by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) [formerly the Texas Department of Health] in cooperation with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, the Caring for Children Foundation of Texas, Here Everything’s Better Stores, the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Hospital Association, and the American Heart Association of Texas. It raises awareness of the long-term health risks associated with obesity in adults and children and helps inspire small lifestyle changes that can lead Texans to live healthier lives through exercise and better food choices. For additional information about the initiative, call DSHS at 512-458-7688 or visit the Web at www.dshs.state.tx.us/dshstoday/obesity.shtm.
The Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention Toolkit is an Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Web site that was prepared to support a video conference training, “A Healthy, Active Oregon,” held in June 2004. The site provides resources to support community planning, including links to organizations and materials about the following topics: consumers, food security, poverty and obesity, nutrition, obesity, physical activity, policy issues, school, television, and consultation and technical assistance. This toolkit is available on the Web at www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/npa/obesity.shtml. For additional information call DHS at 503-945-5944 or visit the Web at www.oregon.gov/DHS/index.shtml.
Updated October 2007
| The document is for informational purposes only. No official endorsement of any practice, publication, program, or individual by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration for Children and Families, the Child Care Bureau, or the National Child Care Information Center is intended or is to be inferred. For additional information on this or related topics, please contact the National Child Care Information Center at (800) 616-2242 or info@nccic.org. |
