The report, by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), includes obesity rates among youths ages 10-17, and the results of a new poll on childhood obesity conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research and American Viewpoint. The poll shows that 80 percent of Americans recognize that childhood obesity is a significant and growing challenge for the country, and a strong majority supports a comprehensive national effort to prevent childhood obesity.
In addition, the report highlights troubling racial and ethnic disparities in adult obesity rates. For example, adult obesity rates for Blacks and Latinos were higher than for Whites in at least 40 states and the District of Columbia.
The report identifies actions that the federal government and many states are taking to address the epidemic and recommends specific strategies to accelerate momentum. Recommendations include: ensuring that disease-prevention measures in the new health reform law are implemented strategically, expanding the commitment to community-based prevention programs, and sustaining investments in research and evaluation.
The Be Our Voice sites are actively engaged in working to change these trends.
