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Greetings!
Recent data on obesity rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paint a picture of a nation stalled in its efforts to reduce an epidemic that affects one-third of Americans. Twelve states currently have an adult obesity rate above 30 percent, with Mississippi being the heaviest state at nearly 35 percent. Although the CDC changed its methodology for its 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS), making year-on-year comparison not an exact science, by and large not much has changed. Jeffrey Levi, PhD, executive director of the Trust for America's Health that earlier this month released an analysis of the data along with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation said, "Obesity has contributed to a stunning rise in chronic disease rates and health care costs. It is one of the biggest health crises the country has ever faced." Dr. Levi points out that while the picture is less than glowing, it's not all bad news. As I wrote in an article for my Huffington Post blog, we've been working hard as a country to improve the national dialogue on obesity. Only a decade ago, we weren't directly addressing obesity, but we now regularly discuss both prevention efforts, like creating supportive environments that help people to make healthier choices, and improved access to treatments. And, evidence-based data demonstrating potential ways to help individuals and communities address weight is increasingly available. Undoubtedly, part of the reason for this growing body of evidence is the increase in understanding of obesity. Obesity is not a matter of appearance; it is a matter of health. What's more, obesity greatly impacts other areas as well, including economics, national security and the environment. The more this widespread impact is understood, the more we see the public and private sectors connect and coordinate to develop effective efforts to address this issue. In a recent interview on Fox 5 DC, I talked about the need to continue to address this issue from multiple levels and with multiple approaches in order to begin to reduce the nation's obesity rate. Governments, communities, providers and advocacy organizations are working to create environments where the healthy choice is the easy choice. This is good news because, as the IOM stated in its "Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation" report, it will take a concerted and, perhaps most importantly, integrated effort to effectively address obesity. These efforts are addressing the present and the future, including the welfare of our children. We see sustained efforts to address childhood obesity, with initiatives like the First Lady's Let's Move and school-based efforts to teach skills for healthy nutrition. The STOP Obesity Alliance also is undertaking some new work in this area and will be releasing a breakthrough tool for families next month as part of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. I'll be writing more on that in September, so stay tuned! I am confident that we will continue our progress in the coming years. I welcome your feedback via email at obesity@gwu.edu and would be interested to hear how your organization is also working to address obesity.
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Alliance & Member News
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Several Alliance Steering Committee and Associate Members were featured in news stories this month including:
- Alliance Director Scott Kahan, MD, MPH in WebMD, "More Self-Control as a Child, Lower BMI as Adult?"
- American Diabetes Association in Bloomberg BusinessWeek, "Diabetes Care Goes Mobile as App Aims to Monitor Disease."
- American Heart Association in The Washington Post, "School Gardens Across the US Teach Lessons Ranging from Nutrition to Caring for Environment."
- Binge Eating Disorder Association in The New York Times, "Binge Eating Among Men Steps Out of the Shadows."
- CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity and Trust for America's Health in USA Today, "Mississippi has Highest Obesity Rate; Colorado has Lowest."
- National Business Group on Health in MedPage Today, "Employers Still Support Workers' Weight Loss."
- National Council of La Raza in Fox News Latino, "Junk Food Laws May Be Answer to Kids' Obesity, Study Says."
- Rebecca Puhl, PhD in USA Today, "From Brain to Mouth: The Psychology of Obesity."
- Virginia Department of Health, Central Virginia Health District in WSET-13 News - Lynchburg, "Lynchburg Gets Lean, Residents Lose 12 Tons."
TFAH and RWJF Release State Obesity Issue Brief
A new report released by Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) analyzed obesity rates from state data recently updated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a follow up, TFAH and RWJF will release their annual F as in Fat report that takes a closer look at obesity in the states including looking atpolicy efforts to address the epidemic and providing policy recommendations. The 2012 edition will also include a study that forecasts 2030 obesity rates in each state and corresponding impact on obesity-related disease rates and health care costs. The analysis will also examine the potential impact of a five percent reduction in body mass index (BMI) levels. Click here for more information. GW Releases Report on Obesity Interventions The obesity research team at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) released a report entitled, "Obesity Drug Outcome Measures." The report explored why development and approval of obesity drugs have proven so difficult and outlined a series of new approaches that should be considered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when evaluating the benefits and risks of obesity drugs. SPHHS conducted a live webinar to discuss the findings of the report. Click here to view the archived webinar.
ACPM to Host Primary Care Cardiometabolic Risk Summit
The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) is hosting the Primary Care Cardiometabolic Risk Summit on September 7-9 in Las Vegas, Nev. The event aims to provide physicians and clinicians with information to prevent the development of cardiometabolic syndrome in patients most at risk and mitigating consequences for those already affected. The agenda features group sessions and small workshops led by primary care providers and allied health professionals with expertise in cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Click here to register for the event.
BWHI Panel to Discuss Obesity and Health
The Black Women's Health Imperative (BWHI) will convene a panel, "In Pursuit of a Healthier Black America: Black America and Health - Where Do We Stand in the 21st Century," on September 20 in Washington, D.C. to discuss the ongoing health crisis of black America stemming from obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, cancer and other diet-related health issues. Click here for more information.
TOS to Hold 30th Annual Scientific Meeting
The Obesity Society (TOS) will host its 30th Annual Scientific Meeting on September 20-24 in San Antonio, Texas. The meeting will provide educational and networking opportunities and is an opportunity to increase knowledge, stimulate research and promote better treatment for those affected by obesity. Click here to register.
BEDA to Raise Awareness of Weight Stigma
The Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) will host its Annual Weight Stigma Awareness Week from September 24-28 to raise awareness of weight stigma, a growing health concern. BEDA invites individuals to take part in the week by recognizing weight stigma as a form of bullying and reclaiming one's own body image. Click here to learn ways to participate and here for more information.
OAC to Host Inaugural Your Weight Matters National Convention
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) will hold its first Your Weight Matters National Convention on October 25-28 in Dallas, Texas. Key discussion topics will include weight, nutrition, bariatric surgery and weight bias. Register before September 12 to receive access to all educational sessions, the ability to pre-register for the OAC's Advocacy Training Session, a ticket to the Welcoming Ceremonies Dinner and a ticket to the first Annual Awards Dinner.
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News Round-Up
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 August 23, 2012
HealthDay
By Amanda Gardner
According to a Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll, nearly half of obese Americans believe they have been discriminated against in the workforce and in social settings. The poll found that 61 percent of those surveyed thought it was "very" or "extremely" offensive to make racial slurs, yet only 39 percent felt the same about weight-related comments.
August 21, 2012
United Press International
Insufficient exercise is at the top of the list of concerns about children's health, according the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. Nearly 39 percent of U.S. parents rated insufficient exercise as a top health problem for children, followed by childhood obesity at 37 percent and smoking and tobacco use at 34 percent.
August 14, 2012
Los Angeles Times
By Melissa Healy
The George Washington University released a report entitled, Obesity Drug Outcome Measures, which outlines recommendations for the risk-benefit evaluation of obesity drugs. The report recommended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration consider the effect of future drug
candidates on patients' quality of life, including mobility, joint pain and sleep apnea moving in future deliberations.
August 13, 2012
USA Today
By Nanci Hellmich
A new analysis of 2011 U.S. obesity rates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 12 states have obesity rates that top 30 percent, and that greater percentages of obesity are concentrated in the South. According to the analysis, 34.9 percent of Mississippi residents were considered to have obesity in 2011, making it the most obese state in America. August 9, 2012
Medical News Today
By Petra Rattue
According to a study presented at the American Psychological Association's (APA) Annual Convention, overweight or obese individuals who lost just 10 percent of his or her body weight can gain 10 years worth of health benefits. When introducing the study researchers, APA President Suzanne Bennet Johnson emphasized that "obesity is the number one health challenge facing our country today."
August 6, 2012
Forbes
By Lisa Quast
Between 45 and 61 percent of male CEOs are overweight, compared to only five to 22 percent of female CEOs, according to a study published in Equal Opportunities International. Researchers suggest this difference highlights a greater level of acceptance of obesity among male executives compared to female executives.
August 1, 2012
HealthDay
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas
A study published in Preventive Medicine reported a disconnect between reality and perception when it comes to how Americans view their actual weight as well as annual weight gain, which researchers suggest could have serious public health consequences. The study found that the majority of study participants believed they lost weight over the past year, when on average, they gained two pounds.
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The content on these web pages is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not designed to replace medical advice or professional medical services. The information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. Medical decisions should be made in consultation with your qualified health care provider. There may be variations in treatment that your health provider may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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Copyright © 2012 STOP Obesity Alliance. All Rights Reserved.
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