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Greetings!
Every month we discuss the latest trends affecting the world of obesity in these letters. And while the topics vary month to month, our focus on adults has been consistent. But not today.
Today, I write to you as a parent who, like many parents across the country, worries about having to field questions about obesity and weight from my child. Indeed, a WebMD/Sanford Health survey found that parents of teens find it more difficult to talk about weight with their child than talking about sex, drugs, alcohol or smoking!
And it's not that we don't think about the health problems our children may face by carrying extra weight. Quite the opposite: A recent survey from the University of Michigan found childhood obesity is the second most important concern parents have regarding their child's health, second only to a lack of exercise.
Even though one in three children has overweight or obesity, parents struggle to find the right words to say in response to a whole host of issues a child may raise about weight. Issues that range from confusion over a child's BMI scorecard to a child who says she's been teased about her weight at school.
That's why to coincide with National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, the STOP Obesity Alliance in collaboration with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, released a guide to help parents respond to challenging and unanticipated questions about weight from their kids. "Weigh In: Talking to Your Children About Weight and Health" is a free conversation guide that offers parents "real-world" situations and plain language responses to questions about weight issues including understanding BMI, body image, bullying, weight bias and family obesity. This research-based guide, reviewed by experts from a cross-section of fields including pediatrics, obesity research, psychology and stigma, provides a framework to better equip parents and caregivers to talk about weight and health in ways that are factual, meaningful and helpful.
The Alliances found the "weight conversation" is particularly difficult for caregivers to answer since feelings about overweight and obesity can be clouded by personal issues, media and society at large, limited information defining what constitutes successful weight loss and fear that discussing weight could lead to an eating disorder.
There is no doubt the weight discussion is uncomfortable and complex, but at a time where a child with overweight or obesity is 10 times more likely to become an adult with overweight or obesity, it is a discussion we cannot avoid. Weigh In leaves out the stigma and blame and uniquely provides specific scenario-based talking points, combining the facts a parent needs to know with general suggestions about potential approaches for talking with kids about weight.
Every parent-child relationship is unique, and only a parent can know what will work best for his or her child. Not every suggestion in the guide will be relevant or appropriate for every family, but our hope is that it can spark a supportive, loving dialogue rooted in important facts about weight and health.
Fostering productive conversations about weight and health is critical. Parents must be active participants in improving the health of our nation's youth, so I encourage you to share this new resource with other parents and caregivers and across your social networks.
I welcome your feedback on Weigh In via email at obesity@gwu.edu and would be interested to hear about your experiences with the guide.
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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:
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- STOP Obesity Alliance in The New York Times, "Weekly Reader: BPA, Well-Intentioned Teachers, Obesity and the Middle Class," and The Washington Post, "Tips for Talking Weight with Kids."
- Alliance Director Scott Kahan, MD, MPH in WebMD, "Can Childhood Obesity Hinder the Brain?"
- American Heart Association in USA Today, "High Salt Intake in Kids Linked to High Blood Pressure."
- Endocrine Society in HealthNewsDigest.com, "Experts Recommend Screening Adults for Hypertriglyceridemia Every Five Years."
- Healthcare Leadership Council in Becker's Hospital Review, "House Legislation Would Change CBO Scoring of Preventive Health Programs."
- Rebecca Puhl, PhD in American Medical News, "Stigmatizing Obesity Undercuts Effectiveness of Public Health Campaigns" and NPR, "New Anti-Obesity Ads Blaming Overweight Parents Spark Criticism."
- Virginia Department of Health, Central Virginia Health District in The News & Advance, "Obesity in Virginia on the Rise."
STOP and Alliance for a Healthier Generation Release New Dialogue Guide for Families
The STOP Obesity Alliance and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation released a new guide that prepares parents for tough conversations with their kids about weight and health. Rather than focusing on finding the root of obesity or laying blame, "Weigh In: Talking to Your Children About Weight and Health" offers practical information for how to responsibly and compassionately respond to real-world scenarios. For more information about the tool, read our press release here or view the conversation guide online www.WeighInOnObesity.org.
Latest "Weight and the States" Bulletin Now Available
The latest installment of the "Weight and the States" bulletin is now available on STOP's website. In this issue, STOP's George Washington University (GW) team set out to help state leaders process the potential impact a Medicaid expansion decision on coverage for obesity prevention and treatment. The GW team compiled information about where states currently stand on Medicaid expansion; what factors are important to states when considering whether or not they will expand eligibility; and current coverage for obesity prevention and treatment. Read the full bulletin here.
STOP Weighing In Blog Updates
Advocates Fame the Flame of Progress in Obesity Policy
Gwyn Cready, a member of The Obesity Society's Advocacy Committee, penned a blog post recapping a recent panel discussion where experts examined progress that's been made to address obesity and what needs to happen to continue to advance that progress. The discussion occurred at The Obesity Society's annual meeting, which took place in San Antonio, Texas from Sept. 20-24. Panelists included William Dietz, MD, PhD, Former Director, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Rebecca Puhl, PhD, Director of Research, Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Yale University; Scott Kahan, MD, MPH, Director, STOP Obesity Alliance; and, Donna Ryan, MD, Professor Emeritus, Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Read Cready's blog post here.
Time for a Reappraisal of Public Policy Interventions on Obesity
Morgan Downey, STOP Obesity Alliance Policy Advisor and publisher and editor of The Downey Obesity Report, discussed a new article he wrote with Christopher Still of Geisinger Health System entitled, "Survey of Antiobesity Legislation: Are these Laws Working?" that surveyed federal, state and local antiobesity public policies. Read the blog post here.
TFAH Releases Annual F as in Fat Report
Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released their annual report, F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2012. The report says that if obesity rates continue on current trajectories, nearly half of the adult population in 39 out of 50 states will be obese by 2030. Click here to view the report.
TOS' Ted Kyle Receives Award for Distinguished Public Service
The Obesity Society (TOS) awarded Ted Kyle, RPh its Atkinson-Stern Award for Distinguished Public Service, an award that recognizes an individual or organization whose work has significantly improved the lives of those affected by obesity, whether through research, public policy, patient care or other means. Ted devotes much of his work with TOS to nonprofit advocacy, chairing TOS' Advocacy Committee, serving on the Steering Committee for the STOP Obesity Alliance, and serving on the Board of Directors for the Obesity Action Coalition. Click here to learn more about the award and Ted's work.
AHIP Launches Innovations in Worksite Wellness
America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) launched a new resource, Innovations in Worksite Wellness, which profiles a number of health insurance plans that demonstrate a commitment to improving the health and well-being of employees. According to the report, these innovative programs are comprehensive, evidence-based and follow best practices, achieving impressive results in participant satisfaction and health outcomes. Click here to view the profiled plans. Click here to view AHIP's accompanying Worksite Wellness Innovations Infograph.
AHA Lauds New School Fitness Assessment
American Heart Association (AHA) CEO Nancy Brown issued a statement in support of a new unified fitness assessment program announced this month by The President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition; the American Alliance for Health, Recreation, Physical Education and Dance; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and the Cooper Institute. The assessment evaluates the health impact of physical education programs in schools and allows for a standardized comparison of fitness levels of children across the country. Click here to learn more.
CCA to Host "The Forum 12: International Symposium on Wellness and Chronic Care"
The Care Continuum Alliance (CCA) is hosting "The Forum 12: International Symposium on Wellness and Chronic Care" on October 18-19 in Atlanta, Ga. Presentation topics will include novel solutions to complex problems in wellness, prevention and care management and best practices in workplace wellness. Click here for more information.
ASBP to Hold 62nd Obesity and Associated Conditions Symposium
American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) will host the 62nd Obesity and Associated Conditions Symposium on October 24-28 in Orlando, Fla. The symposium will cover topics including health consequences of obesity, child and adolescent obesity, and gender differences in weight loss, among others. Click here for more information.
ASMBS to Host 3rd Annual Fall Education Event
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) will host the 3rd Annual Fall Education Event on October 26-28 in Las Vegas, Nev. The event will feature integrated health courses on topics ranging from new approaches in the care of bariatric surgery patients and controversies surrounding sleeve gastrectomy patient selection, perioperative management and complications. Click here to register.
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News Round-Up
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September 19, 2012
HealthLeaders Media
By John Commins
According to a study published in the Journal of Rural Health, nearly 40 percent of rural residents are obese, compared to 33 percent of urban residents, underscoring obesity as a top public health concern for rural Americans. Health experts suggest the most cost-effective route to preventing obesity is to bring existing weight management programs and provide nutrition and health education to rural families. New Program Helps Overweight Kids Lose WeightSeptember 17, 2012USA TodayBy Nanci HellmichThe results of a new study suggest children can lose weight in a six-month weight-loss program that combines group support along with parental help at home. Families in the program attended group sessions with a facilitator and also had sessions at home where parents helped their children evaluate progress and set new goals. The findings, published in the journal Pediatrics, show that at the end of six months, 10 percent fewer children had obesity. Family, Community Ties Key to Fighting Chronic Disease Among Latinos, Officials SaySeptember 13, 2012Kaiser Health NewsBy Ankita RaoAs part of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's public policy conference in Washington, D.C., "Diabetes and Obesity in the Latino Community, Reversing the Trend," panelists discussed the growing prevalence of Latinos with diabetes and obesity, as well as barriers to wellness and chronic disease prevention such as unsafe neighborhoods and increasing costs of healthcare. Panelists suggested a strong relationship between federal government and local initiatives could be the answer to the growing health concerns of diabetes and obesity. McDonald's New Menu Item: Calorie Counts September 12, 2012The Associated Press (posted on The Atlantic Journal-Constitution online)By Candice ChoiMcDonald's restaurants announced it is posting calories for all items on its menu boards in the United States starting mid-September in response to pressure from consumers, regulators and activists. The move comes ahead of a regulation in the federal health care law that could require major chains with more than 20 locations to post calorie information. Some Anti-Obesity Campaigns May Backfire, Researchers SaySeptember 12, 2012Los Angeles Times By Melissa HealyA study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that anti-obesity campaigns were more effective when they encouraged positive behavior changes such as exercise and healthy eating instead of stigmatizing people with overweight or obesity. Study researchers reported that messages that caused obese Americans feel defeated and ashamed were less effective at motivating individuals to improve their health. Obesity Among Philadelphia Students Drops 5 Percent Over 4 YearsSeptember 8, 2012The Philadelphia InquirerBy Don SapatkinThe incidence of local public-school students with obesity dropped nearly five percent between 2006 and 2010, according to a study published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease. Donald F. Schwarz, the Philadelphia health commissioner and a coauthor of the study, highlighted that declines were greater among African American boys and Hispanic girls in Philadelphia, two groups that are at high risk of obesity-related conditions such as heart disease. Obesity Might Lower Teens' Thinking Skills, Study SuggestsSeptember 3, 2012HealthDayBy Alan MozesA study published in Pediatrics found that adolescents with metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by abdominal obesity, unhealthy cholesterol/triglyceride levels and high blood pressure, were more likely to perform poorly on tests of mental ability. Study researchers also reported that MRI scans showed teens with metabolic syndrome had a 10 percent reduction in volume of their brains' hippocampus region. |
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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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