What Can Be Done?
Adult Obesity
Obesity is a complex problem that requires a strong call for action, at many levels, for both adults as well as children.
The U.S. Government can:
- Promote change
- First Lady Michelle Obama recently launched the Let's Move! program which seeks to eliminate childhood obesity within a generation.
The campaign's main points of action are:- Empowering parents and caregivers.
- Providing healthy food in schools.
- Improving access to healthy, affordable foods.
- Increasing physical activity.
See http://www.letsmove.gov
- First Lady Michelle Obama recently launched the Let's Move! program which seeks to eliminate childhood obesity within a generation.
- Recommend actions
- In May 2010, The Childhood Obesity Task Force, appointed by President Obama, released 70 recommended actions to prevent and control childhood obesity.
See http://www.letsmove.gov/obesitytaskforce.php - A new CDC program, Communities Putting Prevention to Work,* is designed to improve nutrition and physical activity and prevent and control obesity by changing policies and environments. CDC recently provided $139 million to 50 states and $373 million to 30 communities and tribes to fund programs to reverse the obesity epidemic.
*Communities Putting Prevention to Work is a new program included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. It also addresses decreasing tobacco use. See http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/recovery/community.htm
- In May 2010, The Childhood Obesity Task Force, appointed by President Obama, released 70 recommended actions to prevent and control childhood obesity.
States can
- Provide supermarkets and farmers' markets with incentives to establish their businesses in low-income areas and to offer healthy foods.
- Expand programs that bring local fruits and vegetables to schools, businesses, and communities.
- Support hospital programs that encourage breastfeeding.
- Adopt policies that promote bicycling and public transportation.
Communities can
- Create and maintain safe neighborhoods for physical activity and improve access to parks and playgrounds.
- Advocate for quality physical education in schools and childcare facilities.
- Encourage breastfeeding through peer-to- peer support programs.
- Support programs that bring local fruits and vegetables to schools, businesses, and communities.
All people can
- Eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer foods high in fat and sugar.
See http://www.mypyramid.gov/ - Drink more water instead of sugary drinks.
- Limit TV watching in kids to less than 2 hours a day and don't put one in their room at all.
- Support breastfeeding.
- Promote policies and programs at school, at work, and in the community that make the healthy choice the easy choice.
- Try going for a 10-minute brisk walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week.
See http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html.
For more information, please contact
Telephone: 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Web: www.cdc.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333
Publication date: 08/03/2010
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - cdcinfo@cdc.gov