Shiriki K. Kumanyika, PhD, MPH, Center for Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 8th Floor Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021, Simone A. French, PhD, Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454-1015, and Linda Meyers, PhD, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 334-3153, lmeyers@nas.edu.

The IOM Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth is charged with assessing the nature of obesity in children and youth in the United States and developing a prevention-oriented action plan to reduce its prevalence. The committee is assessing the array of interrelated factors that contribute to childhood obesity and that may play a role in obesity prevention in the short- and long-term. A primary emphasis is placed on behavioral and cultural factors, families and the home environment, social constructs that encourage appropriate eating patterns and activity levels, and other broader environmental factors (e.g., schools; advertising and the media; public health infrastructure in communities; community design; physical activity; and community safety). IOM committee members will present the report’s findings and recommendations with a focus for this discussion on public health approaches that promote energy balance by integrating diet and physical activity interventions.

Learning Objectives: