More Gym Classes to Fight Obesity

CDC Calls for Increased PE Classes, Enhanced Recreational Facilities to Combat Obesity

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RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT OBESITY

COST OF OBESITY ARTICLE

Jul 31, 2009 8:30 AM - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week issued its first comprehensive set of evidence-based recommendations to help communities tackle the problem of obesity through programs and policies that promote physical activity and healthy eating.

"Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States," along with a companion implementation guide appears in CDC's MMWR Recommendations and Reports [see link above]. The report recommends increasing physical education classes and opportunities for extracurricular physical activity, reducing screen time [TV & computer] at licensed child care facilities, improving access to outdoor recreational facilities, and enhancing infrastructures to support bicycling and walking.

Also this week, a new study from RTI and CDC that estimates the cost of obesity in the United States is as high as $147 billion annually was released at CDC's Weight of the Nation conference in Washington, DC. The study appears online [see link above].