Overweight and obesity, and their negative sequelae, have become the focus of policy makers, business leaders, health care systems, and the general public in the United States and globally. Currently, one in three children and adolescents in the United States is either overweight or obese (Ogden et al., 2014). Children who are overweight or obese tend to remain as such into adulthood, increasing their risk of developing associated chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and other cardio-metabolic problems (Slomski, 2014). Further, more research is suggesting an important link between physical and mental health, with similar risk factors between obesity and chronic disease (e.g., unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, poor sleep) and many mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Obesity is a major driver of current health care expenditures. Current estimates range from $147 billion to nearly $210 billion per year (Cawley and Meyerhoefer, 2012). Medical costs are often higher for patients who are overweight or obese. For example, costs for providing emergency room care to a patient presenting with chest pains are 28 percent higher for obese patients and 22 percent higher for overweight patients compared to those of normal weight (Peitz et al., 2014). During the past 2 decades, the prevalence of obesity among children steadily increased (Fryar et al., 2014). From 1976 to 1980, the prevalence of obesity was 5 percent among 2-to 5year-olds, 6.5 percent among 6-to 11-year-olds, and 5 percent among 12-to 19-year-olds. A decade later, in 1999-2000, prevalence more than doubled for all age groups to 10.3 percent, 15.1 percent, and 14.8 percent, respectively. Another 10 years later, in 2009-2010, the prevalence of obesity continued to increase, albeit at a slower rate, to 12 percent for 2-to 5year-olds, 18 percent for 6-to 11-year-olds, and 18.4 percent for 12-to 19-year-olds. Recent national surveys, however, have indicated that obesity prevalence may be leveling off among certain age groups, in particular young children ages 2 to 5 years of age. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 18 states and 1 territory experienced statewide declines in the prevalence of obesity among low-income children ages 2-5 years between 2008 and 2011 (CDC, 2013). Less promising, this progress has come at the same time as an increased prevalence among both male and female adolescents ages 12 to 19. However, despite the overwhelming recognition of obesity as a critical economic and public health issue, and the top child health concern of parents (C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, 2015), researchers, policy makers, and public health and health care practitioners continue to search for the most effective and sustainable interventions to address the issue. A variety of sectors have a stake in solving the obesity epidemic. As such, solutions will require engagement from a wide range of actors, s...
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