Childhood and Adolescent Obesity:
Epidemiology, Policy, and Prevention

This session examines the growing epidemic of childhood obesity from a variety of perspectives, including the epidemiology of the problem, environmental and clinical risk factors for obesity and its sequelae, and obesity prevention and treatment measures.  Experts will discuss what constitutes healthful eating and how to empower families with simple means to create safe nutritional environments; the impact of childhood and adolescent obesity on glucose homeostasis and risk factors associated with impaired glucose tolerance and Type 2 diabetes in youth; and five key issues in obesity prevention and the need for policies that promote healthful eating and physical activity in our society.  

At the end of this session, the user will be able to: 

1. Describe the overweight and obesity trends in children and adolescents. 

2. Discuss metabolic syndrome and its effects on children and adolescents. 

3. Articulate a variety of individual, group, and community interventions and prevention strategies to reduce overweight and obesity in youth.

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Session Outline

• Introductory Remarks from the Moderator
  David L. Katz, MD, MPH, Yale School of Medicine
   

• Family Matters:  Thinking Globally, Acting Locally in Defense
  Against Childhood Obesity
  David Katz, MD, MPH, Yale Prevention Research Center, Yale School of Medicine
   

• Adiposity and Prediabetes in Obese Youth
  Sonia Caprio, MD, Yale School of Medicine
   

• Key Issues in Prevention and Treatment of Youth Obesity: A Social
  Ecological Perspective  
  Cara B. Ebbeling, PhD, Children’s Hospital Boston

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