Childhood Obesity Prevention
Childhood obesity is one of the nation’s most pressing health concerns. More than one third of children and adolescents in the United States aged 2-19 years are overweight or obese, and the epidemic is even more severe in geographically isolated regions and among low income children and children of color. Over 38 percent Hispanic children and 36 percent of Black children are overweight or obese. These children are developing “adult” diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and are at increased risk for heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer and other serious chronic conditions. Annual direct costs associated with childhood obesity are estimated at over $14 Billion, but this figure grow exponentially when obese children become obese adults – up to $147 Billion – and when indirect costs are added into the equation, obesity is costing the US over $215 Billion per year. The medical expenses and indirect costs associated with obesity place a significant burden on a health care system that already is overwhelmed and threaten our unstable economy. If something is not done to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic, our next generation will live shorter sicker lives than their parents, and rack up substantially higher health care expenses in the process. From 2008 – 2011 PolicyLink and the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement worked in strategic partnership as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity. The RWJF Center was a national organization dedicated to reversing the childhood obesity epidemic by changing public policies and creating healthier environments in schools and communities. In this role, PolicyLink provided technical assistance and communications support to help communities achieve these goals and educated policymakers and advocates about which national, state, regional and local policies are most effective in preventing childhood obesity. Although the RWJF Center is now closed, PolicyLink maintains expertise in this field and continues to address obesity prevention through other related initiatives of the Center for Health and Place. Relevant resources from our work with the RWJF Center may be accessed below. Case Studies
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