In November, the CDC released a Data Brief, detailing the prevalence and long-term trends in obesity for both adults and children. Key findings from this report suggest prevalence for adults has continued its upward trajectory, reaching 37.7% of the U.S. population in 2013-2014. In contrast to the steady increase in adult obesity, the prevalence among 2-19 year old children appears to have plateaued, hovering around 17% since the early 2000s.
Among 2-5 year olds prevalence decreased significantly from 14% in 2003-2004 to 8.4% in 2011-2012; however this most recent Data Brief reports strides among this age group may also have plateaued, because the prevalence increased slightly to 9.5% during 2013-2014. Of particular interest and relevance to this newsletter is that 17% of 6-11 year olds and 32% of 20-39 year olds had obesity in 2011-2014.
The plateau of obesity in children suggests that the policy initiatives implemented to date have helped stabilize the prevalence of childhood obesity, but that further policy initiatives directed at children may not be sufficient to reduce the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents.
In 2007, Christakis and Fowler demonstrated the spread of obesity across a social network. An individual's risk of obesity increased significantly if a friend, sibling, or spouse developed obesity. This social spread of obesity among adults has been demonstrated between parents and their children as well. In a study investigating the long-term effects of a family-based intervention, researchers found a nearly 20% decrease of baseline weight when parents and children were treated together, compared to a minimal decrease when the child alone was targeted with an obesity intervention. Furthermore, parental and child weight loss were correlated, and parents may lose up to 12% of their own body weight during family-based interventions.
Families constitute the most important social network for children. Targeting parents and their young children together may leverage the halo effect of weight loss and reduce the prevalence of obesity in both groups. Although the data are cross-sectional, the apparent doubling of the prevalence of obesity between 6-11 year olds and 20-39 year olds provides an important intervention opportunity. If we can successfully mitigate obesity in this group of young adults who are or will become parents, we will not only arrest increasing adult obesity, but also reduce the prevalence of obesity among young children. The Healthy Campus Initiative conducted by the Partnership for a Healthier America or worksite interventions that are directed at employees and their families represent sites where these efforts to prevent obesity in young adults can begin.
On the medical side, the discomfort that pediatricians feel with weighing and counseling parents about their weight-and the similar lack of efficacy that adult providers have with counseling parents about managing their child's weight-represent important barriers. Payment for a family-based approach is also a deterrent. Nonetheless, the advent of value-based care may help surmount both challenges.
Sincerely,
|
Alliance & Member News
| |
|  |
The National Academy of Medicine: Roundtable on Obesity Solutions
Obesity in the Early Childhood Years--Workshop in Brief
Early childhood--from birth to age 5--is considered an opportune time to reverse the increase in obesity the US has experienced in recent years. On October 6, 2015 the Roundtable held a workshop, Obesity in the Early Childhood Years, to explore what is currently known about obesity in young children and the possible interventions and sustainable collaborations for the treatment and prevention of obesity in this age group. Explore the interactive web page or download the brief summary of the workshop to learn more. A complete summary of the workshop will be available in June 2016. Upcoming Workshop: The Role of Business in Multi-Sector Obesity Solutions: Working Together for Positive Change
On April 12 the Roundtable will host a workshop, The Role of Business in Multi-Sector Solutions: Working Together for Positive Change, which will focus specifically on the roles business can play in solving obesity. The workshop will feature expert speakers and discussion on why and how to encourage the business community to be involved in obesity solutions, identify reasons why businesses might be interested in being involved, and demonstrate ways they can be engaged with a focus on community level multi-sector collaborations. We wanted to extend to you the opportunity to invite participants before we promote the workshop more broadly. Invitees can register using this link.
Reflecting on Physical Activity: Moving Toward Obesity Solutions--A Workshop: Reactions from an Educator, Pediatrician, and Nutritionist
A year ago, the Roundtable on Obesity Solutions held Physical Activity: Moving Toward Obesity Solutions--A Workshop. The workshop explored the role physical activity plays in prevention and management of obesity and ways to promote it at the population level. Two new Perspectives discuss reactions to the workshop summary from the view of an educator, pediatrician, and nutritionist. Read the perspectives here.
ICO 2016: 1st - 4th May 2016, Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, Canada
The XII International Congress on Obesity (ICO) is being hosted by the World Obesity Federation in partnership with the Canadian Obesity Network (CON). World Obesity is offering several ways to register for the event and online registration closes on Friday April 8th. For the full registration price list, please visit their website.
There is still an opportunity to share knowledge at ICO with a "Poster Presentation" as 'late submission abstracts are being accepted. However, these will only be included in the mobile programme app. ICO attendees will also save over 55% on SCOPE School Vancouver, which takes place April 30th.
Healthy Venues Accreditation
World Obesity Federation has launched a new Healthy Venues Accreditation which seeks to encourage venues all around the world to support conference organisers, delegates and their staff in making healthier choices and to help minimise the negative health impacts of conference-going, using the opportunity of people stepping outside their routine to nudge them towards healthier choices. Those that qualify as Healthy Venues will be promoting healthy eating and increased physical activity, ensuring that they provide the best facilities for their clients and visitors, helping conference organisers to transform their events into healthy and enjoyable experiences for all.
Pediatricians Use POWER to Combat Childhood Obesity
Since its creation in 2009, the Pediatric Obesity Weight Evaluation Registry (POWER) has endeavored to accumulate clinical data from individual comprehensive pediatric weight management programs around the United States for overweight and obese youth. The end goal is to create a useful database that will inform research for years to come. ABOM Item Writing Committee Member Dr. Brooke Sweeney has been part of the POWER team since the beginning. Below, she answers questions about her involvement, the project's progress, and how other obesity medicine physicians can take part.
Advise & Consent: Talking to Obese Patients About Their Weight
STOP Medical Director, Dr. Scott Kahan, discusses the importance of tools like the Why Weight? guide to overcome the barriers many providers face in talking to patients about obesity. Read the entire interview here.
|
News Round-Up
| |
| |
|
