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Concurrent Sessions
These concurrent breakout sessions addressed key questions that
must be placed high on the national nutrition agenda for the
next generation. In each session, speakers initiated discussion
on several such questions, with moderated discussion and extensive
audience participation. The goal of these sessions was to
begin the development of public/private partnerships that
will initiate or stimulate action toward solutions for the
questions raised.
Session I. The
Face of Hunger in America
Hampton Room
This session was intended to strengthen the
political will to end hunger in America by highlighting both
the success of the anti-hunger network and its future. How
can the network be made more effective in the 21st century?
The session humanized the problem of hunger and concluded
by focusing on strategies to marshal the nation's resources
and commitment to eliminate hunger.
Part
1: What Does It Mean To Be Hungry and Poor in America?
The goal was to humanize the problem of
hunger and poverty by presenting the experiences of former
nutrition assistance recipients.
Part
2: Toward an End to Hunger in America
The goal was to describe the consequences of
hunger and poverty for a healthy, productive, and moral society
and to articulate a national strategy to end hunger and build
community food security.
Session II. Hunger,
Nutrition, and Health: The Expanding Nutrition Assistance
Agenda
Regency Ballroom
Widespread deployment of nutrition assistance programs originated
in the context of poverty and income support. We now know
that the effect of these programs goes beyond reducing poverty-induced
hunger to improving diet, nutrition, and ultimately health.
This session focused on opportunities to build and strengthen
the links between nutrition assistance, good nutrition, and
health.
Part
1: Food Security as the Foundation of a Healthy Lifestyle
The goal was to raise public consciousness of
the links among poverty, hunger, health, and self-sufficiency.
Part
2: Strategies to Harness Nutrition Assistance for a Healthy
Productive Society
The goal was to identify what nutrition assistance programs can do to encourage the development of a healthy lifestyle and dietary patterns and better support work.
Session
III. Nutrition and Physical Activity Issues for Infants, Children,
and Adolescents
Diplomat Room
The importance of nutrition during infancy, childhood, and adolescence
is paramount. There are critical stages in development when
nutritional factors, as well as opportunities for physical
activity, are likely to have long-term health consequences
in adulthood. Interventions must consider the physiological,
behavioral, and social aspects of each developmental stage.
Session
IV. Nutrition and Physical Activity Issues for Women of Reproductive
Age
Governor's Room
Meeting the energy and nutrient needs of women who are about to
become pregnant, who are pregnant, or who are lactating represents
a considerable challenge. There is convincing evidence that
maternal nutrition can have a lasting impact not only on fetal
and infant growth and development but also on maternal health.
Pregnancy weight gain may be related to development of maternal
obesity. At the same time, the nutrient needs of women prior
to and during pregnancy are not always met. What obstacles
exist to achieving appropriate nutritional and physical activity
goals and how can they be remedied?
Session
V. Nutrition and Physical Activity Issues for an Aging Population
Executive Room
As the population ages, the number of Americans
over age 65 is growing at an extraordinary rate. Consistent
with the Healthy People 2010
goal to increase both the quality and years of healthy life,
prevention of degenerative and disabling illnesses must become
a high priority, with diet and physical activity becoming
increasingly relevant.
Session VI. Influences
of the Community Food and Activity Environment on Obesity
Palladian Room
Discussion
Group A: Influences of Community Physical Activity Environments
on Obesity
Community infrastructure and networks can promote health. This
discussion group considered those networks that impact physical
activity and recommended ways that communities and neighborhoods
can promote healthy weight and prevent obesity in priority
populations.
Discussion
Group B: Influences of Community Food Environments on Obesity
Availability, presentation, and nutritional
quality of food are important factors in weight maintenance.
This group discussed influences on the food environment (producers,
marketers, restaurants, etc.) that affect obesity and recommended
ways to modify the food environment for obesity prevention.
Session VII.
Influences of Family, Schools, and Worksites on Obesity
Blue Room
Discussion
Group C: Family Influences on Obesity
A family has significant control over the values
and behaviors of its members. This discussion focused on families
and the ways they can contribute to or prevent obesity in
family units.
Discussion
Group D: School Influences on Obesity
The school serves as a learning center for academic
performance and for physical activity and nutrition. This
discussion focused on all aspects of the school environment
and how these factors contribute to obesity or work to prevent
it.
Discussion
Group E: Worksite Influences on Obesity
Adults spend most of their day in the work setting. This discussion
group examined the influences on diet and activity in worksites
and recommended how this environment can be modified for obesity
prevention.
Session VIII.
Influences of Health Care and the Media on Obesity
Ambassador Room
Discussion
Group F: Influences of the Health Care System on Obesity
Prevention and treatment of obesity must become
a healthcare priority if the obesity epidemic is to be reversed.
This group discussed influences on obesity prevention and
treatment in health practice and recommended needed adaptations
within the healthcare system.
Discussion
Group G: Influences of the Media on Obesity
The media influences values, attitudes, and practices for diet
and activity. This group examined the influences of the media
and advertising on obesity and recommended changes needed
to create positive influences on diet and activity.
Session
IX. Environment and Healthy Lifestyles
Capitol Room
Environmental factors exert their influence on lifestyles at the
individual, household, community, state, and national levels.
This session explored interventions (broadly defined) that
have positively affected a healthy lifestyle.
Session
X. Behavior Change and Lifestyle Improvements
Congressional Room A/B
Behavior changes are key to many of the goals that we are trying
to achieve for a healthy lifestyle. We have learned a lot
during the past 30 to 50 years, yet gaps remain. Increasingly,
public health efforts need to use public/private partnerships
as key vehicles for improving behaviors for a healthier lifestyle.
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