New Report: Fighting Obesity in Public Schools

Posted by on August 25, 2006

[posted from Public Education Network newsblast]

FIGHTING OBESITY IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Increases in childhood obesity pose a serious health threat. With today’s obese children falling victim to diseases that once afflicted only adults, obesity is not only taking a toll on their overall health but also threatening ultimately to shorten their life span. The increase in obesity is also an economic issue. Estimates of the costs of treating obese children are relatively small but rising rapidly, and the costs of treating adult obesity-related health problems rival the costs of smoking. Preventing obesity in childhood must be the centerpiece of plans to reduce both the health and economic costs of obesity. This policy brief outlines a number of strategies aimed at preventing childhood obesity including: (1) Involve both children and parents in obesity-prevention programs; (2) Improve nutritional and physical activity standards within schools; (3) Limit children’s exposure to advertising; and (4) Improve preventive care and treatment for obesity and related conditions.

http://www.futureofchildren.princeton.edu/briefs/briefs/FOC%20policy%20brief%20spr%2006.pdf