Foundation Pledges 500 Million Dollars To Reverse Obesity In US Chidren

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Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Public Health;  Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 05 Apr 2007 - 0:00 PDT


The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has pledged 500 million dollars over the next five years to reversing childhood obesity in the United States.

25 million of America's 74 million children are overweight or obese; that is more than one third of the nation's youngsters.

In a statement released earlier this week, the Foundation said that unless action is taken now, "we're in danger of raising the first generation of American children who will live sicker and die younger than their parents' generation."

Since the 1960s, obesity has quadrupled among America's 6 to 11 year olds. The average 10-year old girl has gone up in weight from 77 to 88 pounds (35 to 40 kilos), and the average 10 year-old boy from 74 to 85 pounds (34 to 39 kilos).

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RJWF), America's largest philanthropic health foundation, wants to reverse the trend by 2015.

500 million dollars is the largest amount of money ever donated to fight childhood obesity.

The RJWF calls on every organization and person involved with children to take responsibility to sort out the problem: government, health professionals, the food and drink industry, schools, parents and families, and other charities.

RJWF president and CEO, Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, said that, "All communities and populations are adversely affected, particularly low-income communities. Left unabated, the epidemic will overwhelm health care delivery and financing systems and destabilize health programs and other services for children, the elderly and the poor".

Lavizzo-Mourey explained that for the last 30 years we have been taking in far more calories than we need every day. It is not a simple cause, there are a number of contributing factors. She says it is a mix of "genetics, biology, socio-economic factors, commercial and cultural influences, and the 24/7 availability of junk food".

In the communities with the biggest obesity problems the choices aren't there to help families tackle the problem. There are no grocery stores with affordable fresh fruit and vegetables. And "there aren't enough safe places for kids to play. We've talked to moms, dads and grandparents in these neighborhoods. All families want to raise healthy kids, but they find it hard to do so because of the barriers they face", she added.

In speaking of the political and social challenges involved in trying to change the behaviour of a nation, Lavizzo-Mourey drew parallels with other campaigns that have made a difference, the campaigns against smoking, drinking and driving. She said that like those campaigns it will take strong leadership, education, advocacy and good public policy.

The current methods of tackling childhood obesity are too fragmented and slow, and not joined up in policy terms. What is missing is a sense of national urgency, she said.

She calls on all stakeholders to share in the vision, the food and beverage industry included. She called them "partners in prevention".

The vision of the future that RJWF wants to encourage is to see schools free of junk food, and offering effective physical education. Fresh fruit, vegetables, healthy food accessible and affordable in every neighbourhood. Politicians and civic leaders promoting healthy and active living and supporting policies that do the same.

500 million dollars is a lot of money but it will not be enough on its own. The RJWF hope that other organizations will now follow suit and create a fund that will fuel a movement to reverse the trend in childhood obesity.

But most of all the proof will come when America's children's anticipated lifespan exceeds that of their parents. That is an ambitious goal for 2015.

Click here for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Click here for advice on Helping Your Child Keep a Healthy Weight (American Academy of Family Physicians).

Written by: Catharine Paddock
Writer: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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