Childhood Obesity: A National Focus

Childhood Obesity:A National Focus

Christopher RollerDirector of Advocacy and State Health Alliances

American Heart Association, Nevada

Presentation to the WCHD Childhood Obesity Forum, September 15th, 2010

Outline

- Nature of the problem- Brief history- Causes of the epidemic- National recommendations and guidelines- Resources- Policy solutions

How Bad Is The Problem?

- About one in three children and teens in the U.S. is overweight or obese.

- Overweight kids have a 70–80 percent chance of staying overweight their entire lives.

- Obese and overweight adults now outnumber those at a healthy weight;

- Nearly seven in 10 U.S. adults are overweight or obese.

1999

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2008

Source: CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

2008

1990

No Data <10% 10%–14% 1 5%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1985

(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14%



No Data <10% 10%–14%



No Data <10% 10%–14%



No Data <10% 10%–14%



No Data <10% 10%–14%



No Data <10% 10%–14%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%



No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Growth in Childhood Obesity, 1971 to Present: Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

Causes of the EpidemicSource: American Heart Association

- Growing portion sizes- Poor nutrition- Dining out more- Moving less

Causes of the Epidemic

Growing Portion Sizes• Americans are eating more• Portions have grown dramatically in recent

decades• People eat more when served bigger

portions

Causes of the Epidemic Less Nutrition/Poor Choices• Americans are eating more and more foods that

are high in calories but don’t meet their nutritional needs.

• A majority of Americans are not getting enough vitamins and nutrients through healthy foods, such as fat-free or low-fat dairy, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

• French fries are the most common “vegetable” consumed by children


Dining Out• People dine out more than ever before.• When people dine out, they consume more

calories than if they eat at home.• Away-from-home meals contain fewer fruits,

vegetables and whole grains than foods prepared at home.


Lack of Physical Activity• Children are not getting enough physical activity.• Fitness and physical activity habits established

in childhood are key indicators for health in adulthood.

• Most children get more than the recommended limit of two hours of screen time per day.

Causes of the Epidemic Source: White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity, Report to the President

Other Contributing Factors:- Pre birth and genetic- Socioeconomic - Racial and ethnic - Regional

Recommendations

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines)

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines) - Institute of Medicine

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines) - Institute of Medicine- Johns Hopkins

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines) - Institute of Medicine- Johns Hopkins - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines) - Institute of Medicine- Johns Hopkins - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute- National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines) - Institute of Medicine- Johns Hopkins - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute- National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality - Nemours

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines) - Institute of Medicine- Johns Hopkins - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute- National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality - Nemours- The Obesity Society

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines) - Institute of Medicine- Johns Hopkins - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute- National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality - Nemours- The Obesity Society- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines) - Institute of Medicine- Johns Hopkins - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute- National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality - Nemours- The Obesity Society- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation- Society for Nutrition Education

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines) - Institute of Medicine- Johns Hopkins - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute- National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality - Nemours- The Obesity Society- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation- Society for Nutrition Education- The Surgeon General

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines) - Institute of Medicine- Johns Hopkins - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute- National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality - Nemours- The Obesity Society- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation- Society for Nutrition Education- The Surgeon General- USDA

Recommendations- Alliance For a Healthier Generation- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - American Academy of Pediatrics- American Heart Association- American Diabetes Association- American Dietetic Association- American Medical Association- Centers for Disease Control- DHHS (synthesis of guidelines) - Institute of Medicine- Johns Hopkins - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute- National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality - Nemours- The Obesity Society- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation- Society for Nutrition Education- The Surgeon General- USDA- The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force

Recommendations Let’s Move Campaignwww.letsmove.gov

Partnership for a Healthier Americawww.ahealthieramerica.org

http://www.letsmove.gov/

http://www.ahealthieramerica.org/

RecommendationsWhite House Task Force- 70 Recommendations

- Federal action- State or local action- Private sector action

- Incorporates recommendations from most available sources

RecommendationsWhite House Task Force- Women to be at a healthy weight at conception and avoid

excess weight gain during pregnancy. - Breast-feeding to be encouraged: Studies show babies fed

this way are 22 percent less likely to become obese. - Smaller restaurant portions and posting of calorie

information. - Schools to serve more fruits in lunches and vending

machines. - The USDA to add 2 million children to the school lunch

program by 2015.

RecommendationsWhite House Task Force- A 50 percent increase in high school students attending

daily physical-education classes. - Recess classes in elementary schools to increase by 95

percent. - Updated federal nutrition standards for meals served at

schools and more school-based nutrition education. - Pediatricians to check patients' body mass index, a

height-weight calculation used to measure body fat. - A standard nutrition label on the front of packaged foods.

RecommendationsWhite House Task Force- The food industry and beverage industry to limit the

marketing of unhealthy products to children, with government regulation as a last resort.

- Economic incentives to eradicate "food deserts," urban and rural areas with few grocery stores.

- Insurance plans to cover services necessary to treat and prevent childhood obesity.

- Using cartoon characters to promote only healthy food.

Source: The Washington Post, May 12th 2010

Recommendations Health Care Providers- In 2007 the AMA convened an expert panel consisting

of representatives of 15 organizations

- Tasked with developing recommendations for the assessment, prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity - Available in articles published as a

supplemental issue of Pediatrics. The issue is:PEDIATRICS Vol. 120 Supplement December 2007http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/120/Supplement_4/S229

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/120/Supplement_4/S229

Recommendations - American Academy of Pediatrics

- American Dietetic Association

- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

- Association of American Indian Physicians

- American Heart Association

- National Association of School Nurses

- American College of Sports Medicine

- The Obesity Society (formerly NAASO)

- The Endocrine Society

- American College of Preventive Medicine

- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

- National Medical Association

AHA Resources:- Understanding Childhood Obesity, Statistical

Sourcebook- AHA Recommendations, Overweight in Children- AHA Scientific Position, Physical Activity and

Children- AHA Scientific Position, Dietary Guidelines for

Healthy Children- How to Raise Healthier Kids

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/WeightManagement/Obesity/Childhood-Obesity_UCM_304347_Article.jsp



How Much Do You Care?










So What Can I Do About It?

Federal Legislation- Child Nutrition Act- FIT Kids- Menu Labeling- Others (HCR, CPPW)

Federal LegislationChild Nutrition Act- Takes steps to improve nutrition, school

wellness policies and food access in schools

- Passed Senate and awaiting action in the House

www.heart.org/childnutritionpetition

http://www.heart.org/childnutritionpetition

Federal LegislationFIT Kids Act - Aims to prioritize quality physical

education and increase opportunities for physical activity in schools

- Would amend the No Child Left Behind Act to encourage schools to provide regular, quality physical education and promote healthy lifestyles

www.fitkidsact.org

http://www.fitkidsact.org/

Federal LegislationMenu Labeling - Provision included in the Patient

Protection and Affordable Care Act (health care reform bill).

- Requires restaurants, retail food establishments and vending machine operators with more than 20 locations nationwide to list nutrition information

Federal LegislationOthers - Other provisions in health care

reform too numerous to mention - Communities Putting Prevention to

Work (CPPW) and other grants from the CDC and DHHS

State and Local PoliciesPhysical Education Requirements

- 150 minutes in elementary and 225 minutes in middle school

- Remove exemptions, waivers and substitutions

- Enhanced standards requiring PE be taught by certified/licensed PE teachers

- At least 50% of class time involve activity

State and Local PoliciesNutrition and PA Requirements- Require nutrition standards that are consistent

with the Healthy Schools Program or equivalent standards

- Creation and strengthening of school wellness policies

- Promote policies that incorporate activity into the school day

- Promote obesity prevention strategies in early childhood programs and childcare

You’re the Cure Network

www.yourethecure.org

- “Take action” on federal and state policies

- Keep informed on policy solutions and the science behind them

Questions?

Documents

Childhood Obesity: A National Focus