Childhood Obesity News and Research

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PHS offers interactive exercise program for school children to combat childhood obesity

ProMedica Health System (PHS) is offering high school students an opportunity to create a children's exercise program for a chance to win $5,000 for college.

21 Jan 2010

Obesity in pregnant women is associated with increased risk of birth defects

In recent years, there has been a large increase in the prevalence of overweight and obese women of childbearing age, with approximately 51% of non-pregnant women ages 20 to 39 being classified as overweight or obese.

21 Jan 2010

Blue Cross Blue Shield accepts grant proposals from elementary schools to reduce childhood obesity

Childhood obesity in America is a major public health issue. Blue Cross Blue Shield, committed to building a healthier Michigan, is partnering with schools across the state to get kids moving and eating healthier.

21 Jan 2010

OAC calls for health insurance coverage of USPTF recommended childhood obesity treatments

In light of the recent recommendation of the United States Preventative Task Force (USPTF), the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is calling for all employers and insurers to add health insurance coverage of the recommended childhood obesity treatments.

20 Jan 2010

High BMI among children and adolescents continues to be a public health concern in the U.S.

The prevalence of high weight for length or high body mass index (BMI) among children and teens in the U.S. (i.e., at or above the 95th percentile), ranges from approximately 10 percent for infants and toddlers, to approximately 18 percent for adolescents and teenagers, although these rates appear to have remained relatively stable over the past 10 years, except for an increase for 6- to 19-year-old boys who are at the very heaviest weight levels, according to a study appearing in the January 20 issue of JAMA. The study is being published early online because of its public health importance.

18 Jan 2010

CAN DO Houston expands childhood obesity initiative with major grant

CAN DO Houston (Children and Neighbors Defeating Obesity) will expand its community-based efforts with a $360,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's "Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities" initiative.

13 Jan 2010

RWJF awards multi-year grants to 41 communities to reverse childhood obesity epidemic by 2015

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has awarded multi-year grants to 41 communities across the country as part of a landmark national program to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015.

13 Jan 2010

Jamba Juice and CAHPERD join to introduce the 2010 Jamba Jump Day event

Jamba Juice Company and The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) announced today its shared mission to keep California's children healthy and active with the 2010 Jamba Jump Day(TM) event -- a mass attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the "Most People Jumping/Skipping Rope at the Same Time".

8 Jan 2010

King Center to host second annual 'Health and Wellness Forum'

The King Center announced that it will officially launch the 2010 MLK Birthday Observance on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 by hosting and co-sponsoring its second annual “Health and Wellness Forum.” It is being co-sponsored by a $50,000 grant from Aetna, which also funded last year’s inaugural program.

8 Jan 2010

Hoffman and Connolly partner to form family-focused exercise and fitness store

Hoffman and Connolly are two entrepreneurs each owning what seem to be unrelated businesses, however both share a common passion, bringing health and well being into the home in a fun and motivating way. Now, together they are trying to change the way families approach health and fitness.

4 Jan 2010

Special issue on climate justice highlights effects of global warming on human health

Global warming, pollution, and the environmental consequences of energy production impose a greater burden on low-income, disadvantaged communities, and strategies to prevent these inequities are urgently needed.

23 Dec 2009

Health and education leaders commend school for promoting physical activity among students

During a visit today to Conrad Weiser Middle School, Department of Health Secretary Everette James and Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak commended the school for its efforts to increase physical activity among students.

22 Dec 2009

Health experts offer recommendation to improve school meal programs

More fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, less sodium and a limit on calories served per meal—those are just some of the recommendations a committee of experts has made on how to improve the nation’s school lunch and breakfast menus.

22 Dec 2009

Access to convenience stores can pormote childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is directly related to how close kids live to convenience stores, according to the preliminary findings of a major Canadian study presented at the Entretiens Jacques-Cartier in Lyon, France. The ongoing study is named QUALITY for Quebec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth.

18 Dec 2009

Food health and safety stories top the list of memorable food stories of 2009

When Americans were asked which were the most memorable food stories of 2009, food health and safety stories topped the list.

17 Dec 2009

Study says children are still bombarded with TV ads for unhealthy food choices

A new study released Monday, Dec. 14, in Washington, D.C., criticizes the nation's food and beverage industry for failing to shift their marketing efforts aimed at children. The report said television advertising continues to contribute to epidemic levels of obesity, despite industry promises of reform.

15 Dec 2009

Findings shed light on the genetic origins of diabetes

Pediatric researchers have found that a gene already implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes in adults also raises the risk of being overweight during childhood. The finding sheds light on the genetic origins of diabetes and may present an avenue for developing drugs to counteract the disease, which has been on the upswing in childhood and adolescence.

8 Dec 2009