Oral

The prevalence of obesity has been consistently increasing in the United States over the past two decades. In 2007, the CDC reported that only one state (Colorado) had an obesity rate under 20% while thirty states had rates of 25% or higher, and three states (Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee) had rates of 30% or higher. There have been correspondingly high increases in the rate of obesity among children and adolescents accompanied by an increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes. This session will focus on prevention strategies to improve weight management and promote healthy lifestyles. We will focus on policy issues that may improve access to healthy foods and opportunities for safe physical activity, neither of which is adequately available in many low-income urban and rural communities. We will discuss the value of community partnerships in promoting healthy lifestyles and present survey data relating neighborhood characteristics to physical activity. Finally, we will describe strategies to establish and strengthen multidisciplinary partnerships and increase capacity at the local, state and national levels to promote healthy weight.

Session Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be better able to: Discuss policy strategies that may improve access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity Discuss targeted local level policy change to improve healthy eating and activity Analyze the effect of the physical and social characteristics of neighborhoods on the physical activity and health outcomes

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing