|
Links verified: July 2011
Following are various position statements regarding childhood and adolescent
obesity from national child health organizations.
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
The American Medical Association (AMA) in collaboration with the
Department of Health and Human Services', Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA) and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) recommendations to fight childhood
and adolescent obesity. Following is a web link to the Appendix
from the AMA Expert Committee on the Assessment, Prevention and
Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity dated
June 6, 2007.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/433/ped_obesity_recs.pdf
National Association of School Nurses
POSITION STATEMENT: Overweight and Obesity in Youth in Schools -
The Role of the School Nurse
SUMMARY. It is the position of the National Association of
School Nurses that school nurses have the knowledge and expertise
to promote the prevention of overweight and obesity and address
the needs of overweight and obese youth in schools. The school
nurse collaborates with students, families, school personnel, and
health care providers to promote healthy weight and identify
overweight and obese youth who may be at risk for health problems.
The school nurse can refer and follow up with students who may
need to see a health care provider. The school nurse also educates
and advocates for changes in the school and district that promote
a healthy lifestyle for all students.
Full Version:
http://www.nasn.org/PolicyAdvocacy/PositionPapersandReports/NASNPositionStatementsFullView/tabid/462/ArticleId/39/Overweight-and-Obesity-in-Youth-in-Schools-The-Role-of-the-School-Nurse-Revised-2011
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools
Schools and Childhood Overweight
Publications and other resources.
http://www.healthinschools.org/Health-in-Schools/Health-Services/Schools-and-Childhood-Overweight.aspx
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
POLICY STATEMENT: Active Healthy Living: Prevention of
Childhood Obesity Through Increased Physical Activity
Abstract.
Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness and Council on School
Health The current epidemic of inactivity and the associated
epidemic of obesity are being driven by multiple factors
(societal, technologic, industrial, commercial, financial) and
must be addressed likewise on several fronts. Foremost among these
are the expansion of school physical education, dissuading
children from pursuing sedentary activities, providing suitable
role models for physical activity, and making activity-promoting
changes in the environment. This statement outlines ways that
pediatric health care providers and public health officials can
encourage, monitor, and advocate for increased physical activity
for children and teenagers.
Full Version:
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;117/5/1834.pdf
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
Physical Fitness and Activity in Schools - Committee on Sports
Medicine and Fitness and Committee on School Health
Abstract.
Schools are in a uniquely favorable position to increase physical
activity and fitness among their students. This policy statement
reaffirms the American Academy of Pediatrics' support for the
efforts of schools to include increased physical activity in the
curriculum, suggests ways in which schools can meet their goals in
physical fitness, and encourages pediatricians to offer their
assistance. The recommendations in this statement are consistent
with those published in 1997 by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
Full Version:
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;105/5/1156.pdf
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
Policy
Statement:
Prevention of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity - Committee on
Nutrition
Abstract.
The dramatic increase in the prevalence of childhood overweight
and its resultant comorbidities are associated with significant
health and financial burdens, warranting strong and comprehensive
prevention efforts. This statement proposes strategies for early
identification of excessive weight gain by using body mass index,
for dietary and physical activity interventions during health
supervision encounters, and for advocacy and research.
Full Version:
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;112/2/424.pdf
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion
Health Topics - Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The
prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased
from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity
among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to
18.1%.
Obesity is the result of caloric imbalance (too few calories
expended for the amount of calories consumed) and is mediated by
genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Childhood
obesity has both immediate and long-term health impacts:
● Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for
cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood
pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70%
of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular
disease.
●
Children and adolescents who are obese
are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and
social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor
self-esteem.
●
Obese youth are more likely than
youth of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and
therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems,
including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of
cancer, and osteoarthritis
Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical
activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing
related diseases.
http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/obesity/index.htm
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
Recommendation Statement: Screening and Interventions for
Overweight in Children and Adolescents
Abstract: Approximately 15 percent of children and adolescents
aged 6 to 19 years are overweight and are at risk for diabetes,
elevated blood lipids, increased blood pressure and their sequelae,
as well as slipped capital femoral epiphysis, steatohepatitis,
sleep apnea, and psychosocial problems. The USPSTF found fair
evidence that body mass index (BMI) is a reasonable measure for
identifying children and adolescents who are overweight or are at
risk for becoming overweight. There is fair evidence that
overweight adolescents and children aged 8 years and older are at
increased risk for becoming obese adults. The USPSTF found
insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of behavioral
counseling or other preventive interventions with overweight
children and adolescents that can be conducted in primary care
settings or to which primary care clinicians can make referrals.
There is insufficient evidence to ascertain the magnitude of the
potential harms of screening or prevention and treatment
interventions. The USPSTF was, therefore, unable to determine the
balance between potential benefits and harms for the routine
screening of children and adolescents for overweight.
Full Version:
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf05/choverwt/choverrs.htm
|
