RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Decreasing Childhood Obesity: Increasing Physician Effectiveness Through Advocacy
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 546
OP 548
DO 10.1370/afm.1263
VO 9
IS 6
A1 Saxe, Jessica Schorr
YR 2011
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/9/6/546.abstract
AB Childhood obesity is a well-documented public health crisis. Even many children who are not overweight have inadequate physical activity, poor nutrition, excessive television and other screen time, or some combination thereof. The solution lies in the community. Environmental interventions are among the most effective for improving public health. In addition to addressing lifestyle issues in the office, physicians should advocate for environmental approaches. We can advocate at institutional, local, state, and federal levels through speaking, writing, and collaborating with others. In the United States, the timing is right to synergize with efforts such as the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity and the Surgeon General’s emphasis on changing the national conversation “from a negative one about obesity and illness” to a positive one about health and fitness.