Preventing childhood obesity: health in the balance

Abstract

The increasing number of obese children and youth throughout the U.S. has led policymakers to rank obesity as a critical health threat. This report provides a broad-based examination of the nature, extent, and consequences of obesity in the nation, including the social, environmental, medical, and dietary factors responsible. It also offers a prevention-oriented action plan that identifies the most promising short-term and longer-term interventions, as well as recommendations for the roles and responsibilities of industry, advertising, the media, schools, parents, and health care professionals in obesity prevention.