Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Policies

Posted by on July 04, 2011

Institute of Medicine Releases Recommendations for Preventing Obesity in Early Childhood

The IOM released an report that summarizes the best available evidence about key strategies for preventing obesity among children under 5, including suggestions for individuals, as well as policymakers and organizations, to join in the effort to provide healthy environments in which to live, learn and play.

Some of the key recommendations include:

●     “establish dietary guidelines for children from birth to age 2;

●     increasing participation in food assistance programs such as WIC and SNAP;

●     ensuring that recreation areas encourage all children to be active;

●     allowing community residents to use school playgrounds and recreation areas when schools are closed; and

●     establishing voluntary nutrition and marketing standards for the food and beverage industry.”

The full report can be found here: http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/Early-Childhood-Obesity-Prevention-Policies.aspx