Environmental Solutions to Obesity in America's Youth
Background
The rise in childhood obesity is due to complex interactions across a number of environmental contexts that influence eating and physical activity (IOM2004). This environment is characterized by:
- Urban and suburban designs that discourage physical activity.
- Economic and time pressures on families that result in frequent consumption of convenience foods.
- Reduced access to and affordability of nutritious foods in some communities.
- Decreased opportunities for walking or biking to, at, or after school.
- Increased sedentary screen time.
The second annual NIEHS national conference on obesity and the environment will highlight the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing obesity in youth.
Conference Topics
- What approaches support a healthy physical and nutritional environment for youth?
- What are effective prevention and treatment strategies?
- How can we act on the best available evidence?
- How can the environment be modified to promote healthier eating and increased physical activity?
- How can environmental interventions address disparities in the prevalence of overweight and obesity?
- What can we do to develop and enhance public-private partnerships?
