American Heart Association Childhood Obesity Research Summit

Childhood obesity is one of the most pressing health threats facing the United States. Today, one third of American children and adolescents are obese or overweight. Over the past 30 years, the prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled for children 2 to 5 years of age and youth 12 to 19 years of age, and it has quadrupled for children 6 to 11 years old.1Overweight children and adolescents are at risk for significant health problems both during their youth and as adults: As part of its strategic focus on childhood obesity, particularly the prevention of childhood obesity, the American Heart Association convened a Childhood Obesity Research Summit to examine research opportunities where the obesity epidemic intersects with the healthcare system. The Childhood Obesity Research Summit provided an overview of childhood obesity, and participants identified key questions that need to be answered, as well as recommendations for future work in the areas of education, public policy, and research. The recommendations and outcomes of the conference will help inform the American Heart Association and the …