Obesity Resources: The American Medical Association's Research on Childhood ObesityThere is much research on the problem of childhood obesity. One of the more recent articles was published by the American Medical Association on August 22, 2007 written by Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D. It can be found in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 298(8), pp. 920-922. The article, like many others, states that obesity can lead to "long-term medical, psychosocial and financial consequences beyond U.S. society's capacity to respond. The direct medical costs attributable to overweight and obesity account for slightly more than 9 percent of all U.S. health expenditures. In just over a generation, the number of overweight children has tripled among preschoolers and quadrupled among 6 to 11 year-olds. This population, with a higher risk of weight-related disease, is likely to become an increasing burden to the health care system and society." The article goes on to consider some of the implications to various stakeholders including clinicians, communities, schools and families. Many researchers recommend the same thing--eat healthy and increase physical activity. Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D. goes beyond that to recommend action. She directs the reader to what she considers to be some of the more successful efforts. In the article she names the Food Trust in Philadelphia, the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement; and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
Food Trust in Philadelphia,
the
Arkansas Center for Health Improvement,
and the
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
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