Childhood Obesity Conference
Posted: 16th Apr 2013
Statistics show that 2.5 million children in the U.S. age 12
to 20 are severely obese (weighing more than 100 lbs. over ideal weight). Some 19 percent of children age two to 14 in
Tarrant County are obese, and in the Fort Worth Independent School District,
half the children are considered overweight. The life expectancy of this generation is estimated to be lower than
previous generations.
On April 4 and 5, 2013, the UNT Health Science Center’s School
of Public Health (UNTHSC) hosted the 6th annual North Texas Health
Forum, focused on “Childhood Obesity: Accomplishments & Challenges.” The
purpose was to inform the community about successful initiatives in childhood
obesity prevention and discuss the potential for improvement and next steps for
Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
Keynote speaker for this two-day conference was Dr. Steven
Kelder, professor from the University of Texas and Co-Director of the Michael
& Susan Dell Center for Health Living, Austin, along with a special
presentation on “The Path to Reduced Childhood Obesity” by Risa Wilkerson, MA,
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who serves as program
officer for Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, a national initiative focused on
childhood obesity prevention.
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and Tarrant County Commissioner
Roy Brooks also joined the program to discuss local efforts, and a panel of
community leaders – including Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Chief Medical Officer for
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas; Dr. Lou Brewer, Director of the Tarrant County
Public Health Department; Dr. Don Wilson, pediatric endocrinologist at Cook
Children’s Health Care System; and Georgi Roberts, Director of Health and Physical
Education for the Fort Worth Independent School District – offered perspectives
from their organizations and experiences.
A video recording of Dr. Kelder’s keynote address will be available for viewing soon, and speaker PowerPoints for Dr. Kelder, Ms. Wilkerson,
Dr. Brewer, Dr. Wilson and Ms. Roberts can also be viewed
for more information.
The 2013 North Texas Health Forum was a sold-out event; this
conference is offered each year at no charge and is open to the public as part
of UNTHSC’s National Public Health Week activities. Previous Health Forums have
tackled the issues of infant mortality, alcohol abuse, the emotional well-being
of African American children in Tarrant County, and national health policies
impacting citizens today.
If you are with the media and need additional information or would like to arrange an interview, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications.