Task Force Aims to Cut Childhood Obesity to 5%

In an initiative aimed at cutting childhood obesity rates to 5% by 2030, the White House Task Force on Child Obesity report to the president spelled out a broad ranging of recommendations—from increasing breastfeeding to improving eating patterns and physical activity levels among children.

Nearly half of all U.S. children are obese (16%) or overweight (32%), according to a study of 2007 data published this month. (See story below.)

The task force report spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama, which includes 70 specific recommendations, provides goals, benchmarks, and measurable outcomes to reduce childhood obesity.

“We want to marshal every resource—public and private sector, mayors and governors, parents and educators, business owners and health care providers, coaches and athletes—to ensure that we are providing each and every child the happy, healthy future they deserve,” Ms. Obama said in a statement.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, which has partnered with Ms. Obama's “Let's Move!” childhood obesity initiative, agreed that a many-pronged strategy will be necessary to address the problem.

“The AAP is pleased that the report's recommendations mirror many of the academy's long-standing guidelines, including the restrictions on screen time and the calculation of body mass index,” AAP President Judith Palfrey said in a statement.

“In addition, the report incorporates several specific recommendations that the AAP made to the task force, such as the need for insurers to cover obesity prevention, identification, and treatment services appropriately,” Dr. Palfrey said. “The report also provides an important service by proposing benchmarks for measuring progress on various recommendations.”

The task force's recommendations cover five broad areas, including reducing the risk of obesity in early childhood; empowering parents and caregivers; providing healthier food in schools; providing better access to healthy, affordable food in areas where it is not readily available; and increasing physical activity.

As a result of the recommendations, the following actions are slated to occur in the near future:

▸ The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will release guidance in 2010 for standards for physical activity and nutrition in child care settings, and will work with the food and beverage industry to develop a standard “front of packages” food labels.

▸ The U.S. Department of Agriculture will update its food pyramid and dietary guidelines, and will work with Congress to pass a child nutrition reauthorization bill that improves school menu choices.

▸ Federal agencies will make funds available to local communities, including $25 million from HHS, to support obesity prevention and screening services for children.

Other recommendations will require action from the private sector to implement. For example, the task force recommended that providers counsel pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy about the importance of conceiving at a healthy weight, according to Institute of Medicine guidelines.

On breastfeeding, the task force advised hospitals and health care providers to select maternity care practices that empower new mothers to breastfeed, such as the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. It also recommended that health care providers and insurance companies provide information to pregnant women and new mothers on breastfeeding, and that local health departments and community organizations develop peer support programs for breastfeeding mothers.

Regarding early childhood development, the task force recommended that the AAP guidelines on screen time should be more widely disseminated, and that the federal government craft clear guidance on how states, providers, and families can increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and reduce screen time in early child care settings.

Michelle Obama is shown unveiling the findings of the Childhood Obesity Task Force report last month.

Source Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

In an initiative aimed at cutting childhood obesity rates to 5% by 2030, the White House Task Force on Child Obesity report to the president spelled out a broad ranging of recommendations—from increasing breastfeeding to improving eating patterns and physical activity levels among children.

Nearly half of all U.S. children are obese (16%) or overweight (32%), according to a study of 2007 data published this month. (See story below.)

The task force report spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama, which includes 70 specific recommendations, provides goals, benchmarks, and measurable outcomes to reduce childhood obesity.

“We want to marshal every resource—public and private sector, mayors and governors, parents and educators, business owners and health care providers, coaches and athletes—to ensure that we are providing each and every child the happy, healthy future they deserve,” Ms. Obama said in a statement.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, which has partnered with Ms. Obama's “Let's Move!” childhood obesity initiative, agreed that a many-pronged strategy will be necessary to address the problem.

“The AAP is pleased that the report's recommendations mirror many of the academy's long-standing guidelines, including the restrictions on screen time and the calculation of body mass index,” AAP President Judith Palfrey said in a statement.

“In addition, the report incorporates several specific recommendations that the AAP made to the task force, such as the need for insurers to cover obesity prevention, identification, and treatment services appropriately,” Dr. Palfrey said. “The report also provides an important service by proposing benchmarks for measuring progress on various recommendations.”

The task force's recommendations cover five broad areas, including reducing the risk of obesity in early childhood; empowering parents and caregivers; providing healthier food in schools; providing better access to healthy, affordable food in areas where it is not readily available; and increasing physical activity.

As a result of the recommendations, the following actions are slated to occur in the near future:

▸ The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will release guidance in 2010 for standards for physical activity and nutrition in child care settings, and will work with the food and beverage industry to develop a standard “front of packages” food labels.

▸ The U.S. Department of Agriculture will update its food pyramid and dietary guidelines, and will work with Congress to pass a child nutrition reauthorization bill that improves school menu choices.

▸ Federal agencies will make funds available to local communities, including $25 million from HHS, to support obesity prevention and screening services for children.

Other recommendations will require action from the private sector to implement. For example, the task force recommended that providers counsel pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy about the importance of conceiving at a healthy weight, according to Institute of Medicine guidelines.

On breastfeeding, the task force advised hospitals and health care providers to select maternity care practices that empower new mothers to breastfeed, such as the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. It also recommended that health care providers and insurance companies provide information to pregnant women and new mothers on breastfeeding, and that local health departments and community organizations develop peer support programs for breastfeeding mothers.

Regarding early childhood development, the task force recommended that the AAP guidelines on screen time should be more widely disseminated, and that the federal government craft clear guidance on how states, providers, and families can increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and reduce screen time in early child care settings.

Michelle Obama is shown unveiling the findings of the Childhood Obesity Task Force report last month.

Source Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

In an initiative aimed at cutting childhood obesity rates to 5% by 2030, the White House Task Force on Child Obesity report to the president spelled out a broad ranging of recommendations—from increasing breastfeeding to improving eating patterns and physical activity levels among children.

Nearly half of all U.S. children are obese (16%) or overweight (32%), according to a study of 2007 data published this month. (See story below.)

The task force report spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama, which includes 70 specific recommendations, provides goals, benchmarks, and measurable outcomes to reduce childhood obesity.

“We want to marshal every resource—public and private sector, mayors and governors, parents and educators, business owners and health care providers, coaches and athletes—to ensure that we are providing each and every child the happy, healthy future they deserve,” Ms. Obama said in a statement.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, which has partnered with Ms. Obama's “Let's Move!” childhood obesity initiative, agreed that a many-pronged strategy will be necessary to address the problem.

“The AAP is pleased that the report's recommendations mirror many of the academy's long-standing guidelines, including the restrictions on screen time and the calculation of body mass index,” AAP President Judith Palfrey said in a statement.

“In addition, the report incorporates several specific recommendations that the AAP made to the task force, such as the need for insurers to cover obesity prevention, identification, and treatment services appropriately,” Dr. Palfrey said. “The report also provides an important service by proposing benchmarks for measuring progress on various recommendations.”

The task force's recommendations cover five broad areas, including reducing the risk of obesity in early childhood; empowering parents and caregivers; providing healthier food in schools; providing better access to healthy, affordable food in areas where it is not readily available; and increasing physical activity.

As a result of the recommendations, the following actions are slated to occur in the near future:

▸ The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will release guidance in 2010 for standards for physical activity and nutrition in child care settings, and will work with the food and beverage industry to develop a standard “front of packages” food labels.

▸ The U.S. Department of Agriculture will update its food pyramid and dietary guidelines, and will work with Congress to pass a child nutrition reauthorization bill that improves school menu choices.

▸ Federal agencies will make funds available to local communities, including $25 million from HHS, to support obesity prevention and screening services for children.

Other recommendations will require action from the private sector to implement. For example, the task force recommended that providers counsel pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy about the importance of conceiving at a healthy weight, according to Institute of Medicine guidelines.

On breastfeeding, the task force advised hospitals and health care providers to select maternity care practices that empower new mothers to breastfeed, such as the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. It also recommended that health care providers and insurance companies provide information to pregnant women and new mothers on breastfeeding, and that local health departments and community organizations develop peer support programs for breastfeeding mothers.

Regarding early childhood development, the task force recommended that the AAP guidelines on screen time should be more widely disseminated, and that the federal government craft clear guidance on how states, providers, and families can increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and reduce screen time in early child care settings.

Michelle Obama is shown unveiling the findings of the Childhood Obesity Task Force report last month.

Source Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton