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Expert Voices: An Insider's View of National Strategies to Control the Obesity Epidemic, William H. Dietz, MD, PhD, Former Director, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 2013. Policies aimed at reversing the nation's obesity epidemic can quickly become mired in controversy, but the need for solutions is urgent: 36 percent of American adults are now obese, and obesity-related medical costs are estimated at $150 billion per year. In this essay, Dr. Dietz outlines the range of obesity-reduction efforts developed during his 15 years at the CDC, stressing the importance of policy and environmental strategies designed to make the healthy choice the easier choice.
Preventing Early Childhood Obesity in North Carolina, NIHCM Foundation, September 2012. The nutrition and physical activity children receive while in day care is a vital part of helping them develop healthy behaviors. Elevating the health policies, practices and facilities of child care providers in North Carolina is one of the primary goals of Shape NC, a three-year, three-million-dollar partnership between the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and the North Carolina Partnership for Children. This fact sheet details how the Shape NC partnership is joining grant funding and training resources with a vast network of community-based alliances, and it highlights early data showing that participating communities and care centers are indeed shaping up.
In collaboration with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), NIHCM Foundation published a report titled, "Childhood Obesity: Harnessing the Power of Public and Private Partnerships" (2007). The report presents three case studies in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Tennessee of collaborative obesity prevention programs between state health agencies and health plans. In a brief breakout box, the report features a fourth case, North Carolina. North Carolina’s collaborative activities are expanded upon in a four-page supplement to the report, entitled A Comprehensive Approach to Fighting Childhood Obesity: The North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund.
In collaboration with Drs. William Dietz and Howell Wechsler at CDC, NIHCM Foundation published a Health Affairs article titled "Health Plans' Role in Preventing Overweight In Children and Adolescents" (March 2007). This paper describes evidence-based behavioral-change strategies implemented by seven health plans and discusses the importance of environmental modifications to support medical setting interventions. An abstract and the full report are available via the Health Affairs website.
Reflecting the productive discussion of the March 2006 NIHCM/CDC Leadership Forum, NIHCM Foundation produced a meeting brief, entitled Advancing Obesity Prevention and Control: Lessons Learned from a CDC-NIHCM Leadership Forum (May 2006). This meeting brief describes the major findings from Forum, which highlighted current health plan strategies in weight reduction and management and discussed the need for evaluation and evidence based strategies.
Tackling Obesity Through Public-Private Collaboration, NIHCM Foundation, March 2006. NIHCM Foundation prepared this Brief in preparation for the Leadership Forum entitled "Obesity Prevention and Control: Building the Evidence Base." It provides context for those in the private and public sectors who with to work together, pragmatically, to tackle what the IOM considers a national public health priority.
The Evidence Base: How to Prevent Obesity and Manage Weight Gain Through Increased Physical Activity and Improved Nutrition, NIHCM Foundation, March 2006. This table synthesizes currently available evidence on obesity reduction and weight management programs.
Health Plans Emerging As Pragmatic Partners in Fight Against Obesity, NIHCM Foundation, April 2005. The paper describes cutting-edge obesity initiatives in health plans across the country and features essays on the obesity problem contributed by leading thinkers among a cross-section of stakeholders. The paper provides information on prevalence and trends as well as the health and economic impact of obesity. It also addresses current issues in the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Obesity in Young Children: Impact and Intervention, August 2004, 12pp. Based on research conducted by RAND, This brief highlights the importance of addressing obesity in children beginning at an early age and points the way toward effective, early intervention that can help stem the alarming rise in the prevalence of childhood obesity.
Childhood Obesity - Advancing Effective Prevention and Treatment: An Overview for Health Professionals, Debra Kibbe and Richard Offner, ILSI Center for Health Promotion, April 2003, 48 pp. This issue paper provides an overview of pediatric overweight as well as the current treatment and prevention options. Key issues discussed include prevalence and trends, etiologic factors, health and economic impact, and intervention programs. A resource list highlighting numerous health care, school, and community initiatives is included and web-based resources are also available for further guidance. Effective partnerships and unique strategies are identified as crucial to successfully address this critical public health issue.
NIHCM Foundation ACTION BRIEFS Relating to Obesity:
Childhood Obesity: Advancing Effective Prevention and Treatment - Action Brief 11 (November 2003)
Coordinating Efforts on Childhood Obesity - Action Brief 9 (March 2002)