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GET THE FACTS
The Resources
We offer just a few of the many resources available through government Web sites - from the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the US Department of Agriculture, and the US Federal Trade Commission. This is just a small sample of the wealth of information that is available to you!
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OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY: GENERAL INFORMATION |
Obesity Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. Although one of the national health objectives for the year 2010 is to reduce the prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15%, current data indicate that the situation is worsening rather than improving. This site provides a variety of information designed to help people understand the relationship among weight, nutrition and health.
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Call to Action - Obesity
Office of the Surgeon General
The Surgeon General serves as America's chief health educator by providing the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury. The Office of the Surgeon General is part of the Office of Public Health and Science in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY: HEALTH CONSEQUENCES |
Obesity Consequences
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. Obesity increases the risk of acquiring many diseases and health conditions. This site provides a variety of information designed to help people understand the relationship among weight, nutrition and health.
Office of the Surgeon General
The Surgeon General serves as America's chief health educator by providing the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury.
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What are the Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity?
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health launched the Obesity Education Initiative (OEI) in January 1991. The overall purpose of the initiative is to help reduce the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity in order to lower the risk and overall morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD). In addition, reducing the prevalence of overweight/obesity will help to prevent or improve other diseases and conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea.
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OBESITY TRENDS |
U.S. Obesity Trends 1985-2005
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. Although one of the national health objectives for the year 2010 is to reduce the prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15%, current data indicate that the situation is worsening rather than improving. This site provides a variety of information designed to help people understand the relationship among weight, nutrition and health.
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Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Adults: United States, 2003-2004.
National Center for Health Statistics (CDC)
Results from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), using measured heights and weights, indicate that an estimated 66 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese.
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Prevalence of Overweight among Children and Adolescents: United States, 2003-2004.
National Center for Health Statistics (CDC)
Overweight is a serious health concern for children and adolescents. Data from two NHANES surveys (1976-1980 and 2003-2004) show that the prevalence of overweight is increasing: for children aged 2-5 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 13.9%; for those aged 6-11 years, prevalence increased from 6.5% to 18.8%; and for those aged 12-19 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 17.4%.
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Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Trends Data
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDC)
CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion is at the forefront of the nation's efforts to prevent and control chronic diseases. The center conducts studies to better understand the causes of these diseases, supports programs to promote healthy behaviors, and monitors the health of the nation through surveys.
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OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY: HEALTH RESOURCES |
Body Mass Index: Nutrition and Weight Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. Whether you want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, it's important to understand the connection between the energy your body takes in (through the foods you eat and the beverages you drink) and the energy your body uses (through the activities you do).
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Physical Activity Topics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. CDC physical activity efforts cover a wide spectrum of related topics. Physical activity is vital to good health and disease prevention.
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Nutrition Topics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. CDC nutrition efforts cover a wide spectrum of related topics. Good nutrition is vital to good health, disease prevention, and essential for healthy growth and development of children and adolescents.
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Be a Healthy Person
Healthy People 2010
"Healthy People 2010" provides a framework for prevention for the Nation. It is a statement of national health objectives designed to identify the most significant preventable threats to health and to establish national goals to reduce these threats.
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Steps to a Healthier You
United States Department of Agriculture- MyPyramid.gov
The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, an organization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was established in 1994 to improve the nutrition and well-being of Americans. Toward this goal, the Center focuses its efforts on advancing and promoting dietary guidance for all Americans and conducting applied research and analyses in nutrition and consumer economics.
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Nutrition for Everyone: Healthy Weight
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. Although one of the national health objectives for the year 2010 is to reduce the prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15%, current data indicate that the situation is worsening rather than improving. This site provides a variety of information designed to help people understand the relationship among weight, nutrition and health.
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Defining Childhood Overweight
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working to create a healthier nation.
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Obesity and Genetics
National Office of Public Health Genomics- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The National Office of Public Health Genomics (NOPHG) provides updated information on how human genomic discoveries can be used to improve health & prevent disease. It also provides links to CDC wide activities in public health genomics.
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HEALTHY LIVING: WHAT YOU CAN DO |
Call to Action - Obesity Fact Sheet
Office of the Surgeon General
The Surgeon General serves as America's chief health educator by providing the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury.
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Be Physically Active Each Day
HealthierUS.gov
The HealthierUS initiative is a national effort to prevent and reduce the costs of disease, improve people's lives and promote community health and wellness. This site is part of a broad presidential agenda designed to help Americans, especially children, live longer, better, and healthier lives.
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Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC's Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity (DNPA) takes a public health approach to address the role of nutrition and physical activity in improving the public's health and preventing and controlling chronic diseases. The scope of DNPA activities includes epidemiological and behavioral research, surveillance, training and education, intervention development, health promotion and leadership, policy and environmental change, communication and social marketing, and partnership development.
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Tips for Parents - Ideas and Tips to Help Prevent Childhood Overweight
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. This page provides answers to questions you may have and offers resources to help you keep your family healthy.
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MyPyramid Plan
United States Department of Agriculture - MyPyramid.gov
MyPyramid Plan offers you a personal eating plan with the foods and amounts that are right for you. Click on the MyPyramid Plan box to get started. MyPyramid food patterns are designed for the general public ages 2 and over.
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WEIGHT LOSS AND CONTROL |
Aim for a Healthy Weight
National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Obesity Education Initiative (OEI) in January 1991. The overall purpose of the initiative is to help reduce the prevalence of overweight along with the prevalence of physical inactivity in order to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and overall morbidity and mortality from CHD.
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Weight-control Information Network
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
The Weight-control Information Network (WIN) is an information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH). WIN was established in 1994 to provide the general public, health professionals, the media, and legislators with up-to-date, science-based information on obesity, weight control, physical activity, and related nutritional issues.
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Nutrition for Everyone: Healthy Weight
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. Although one of the national health objectives for the year 2010 is to reduce the prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15%, current data indicate that the situation is worsening rather than improving. This site provides a variety of information designed to help people understand the relationship among weight, nutrition and health.
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D.A.S.H: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
National Heart, Liver and Blood Institute
For an overall eating plan, consider the DASH eating plan. "DASH" stands for "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension," a clinical study that tested the effects of nutrients in food on blood pressure. Study results indicated that elevated blood pressures were reduced by an eating plan that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods and is low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol. The DASH eating plan includes whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts and has reduced amounts of fats, red meats, sweets, and sugared beverages.
Healthier Eating with D.A.S.H.
"DASH" stands for "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension," a clinical study that tested the effects of nutrients in food on blood pressure. The DASH eating plan includes whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts and has reduced amounts of fats, red meats, sweets, and sugared beverages.
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Nutrition
Nutrition.gov
Nutrition.gov provides easy access to the best food and nutrition information from across the federal government. It serves as a gateway to reliable information on nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and food safety for consumers.
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Information about Losing Weight and Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition- FDA
The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, known as CFSAN, is one of six product-oriented centers, in addition to a nationwide field force, that carry out the mission of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). CFSAN, in conjunction with the Agency's field staff, is responsible for promoting and protecting the public's health by ensuring that the nation's food supply is safe, sanitary, and accurately labeled.
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Interactive Menu Planner
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) provides leadership for a national program in diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lung, and blood; blood resources; and sleep disorders. The Institute plans, conducts, fosters, and supports an integrated and coordinated program of basic research, clinical investigations and trials, observational studies, and demonstration and education projects.
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TOOLS |
Body Mass Index Calculator (BMI)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. Although one of the national health objectives for the year 2010 is to reduce the prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15%, current data indicate that the situation is worsening rather than improving. This site provides a variety of information designed to help people understand the relationship among weight, nutrition and health.
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Dietary Guidance and Interactive Tools
Food and Nutrition Information Center, USDA
These websites help consumers and professionals with dietary assessment and planning, checking personal health risks, testing knowledge, and evaluating needs.
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Create-a-Diet
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) provides leadership for a national program in diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lung, and blood; blood resources; and sleep disorders. The Institute plans, conducts, fosters, and supports an integrated and coordinated program of basic research, clinical investigations and trials, observational studies, and demonstration and education projects.
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