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2002 Public Health SymposiumObesity LinksThis listing of Web sites is by no means exhaustive. You will be able to find other sources of information on health, nutrition and physical activity as you visit the listed sites. The sites include many with health education material. Others are sites identifying policies that affect health or sites providing information on management of disease states. World Health OrganizationControlling the global obesity epidemic The challenge Description: At the other end of the malnutrition scale, obesity is one of today's most blatantly visible - yet most neglected - public health problems. Paradoxically coexisting with undernutrition, an escalating global epidemic of overweight and obesity - "globesity" - is taking over many parts of the world. If immediate action is not taken, millions will suffer from an array of serious health disorders. Nutrition Data Banks Global Database on Body Mass Index (BMI) Description: Currently, efforts are being made to develop the Web-based mapping and information system of the WHO Global Database on Body Mass Index (BMI). It is expected that the first version will be released by mid-November 2002. At present, the Global Database on BMI includes only the data for overweight and obesity. However, a systematic collection of data covering the entire spectrum of under- and over-weight among adult populations is being planned. International Agency for Cancer Research Description: One of the research units is the chemoprevention unit. The prevention of cancer is one of the key objectives of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The unit provides scientific basess for decisions on avoiding exposure to cancer-causing agents. Other pro-active cancer preventive strategies include:
A topic of current interest in the unit is Weight Control and Physical Activity. An international Working Group of experts was convened in Lyon on 13-20 February 2001 to evaluate the role of weight control and physical activity in cancer prevention. Based on the detailed review, the Working Group concluded that there was sufficient evidence that excess body weight increases the risk of cancers of the colon, breast in postmenopausal women, endometrium, kidney, and adenocarcinomas of the oesophagus. Regarding physical activity, the Working Group judged that there was sufficient evidence for a cancer-preventive effect of physical activity against cancers of the colon and breast. The recommendations and the evaluations of the Working Group on weight control and physical activity has been published as Volume 6 of the IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention. United States GovernmentDepartment of Health and Human Services National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Description: CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion is at the forefront of the nation's efforts to prevent and control chronic diseases. The center conducts studies to better understand the causes of these diseases, supports programs to promote healthy behaviors, and monitors the health of the nation through surveys. Critical to the success of these efforts are partnerships with state health and education agencies, voluntary associations, private organizations, and other federal agencies. Together, the center and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. Nutrition and Physical Activity Description: Includes programs and information on overweight and obesity, nutrition promotion and physical activity promotion. Links are available to nutrition and physical activity-related public health programs and campaigns supported by CDC as well as surveillance systems that collect and analyze data, and observe trends in nutrition and physical activity in the U.S. Includes information on obesity, pregnancy nutrition, diabetes, fitness and more. Description: In the United States, obesity has risen at an epidemic rate during the past 20 years. One of the national health objectives for the year 2010 is to reduce the prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15%. Research indicates that the situation is worsening rather than improving. National Center for Health Statistics Description: The National Center for Health Statistics is a rich source of information about America's health. As the Nation's principal health statistics agency, statistical information is compiled to guide actions and policies to improve the health of the public. The Center is a unique public resource for health information--a critical element of public health and health policy. National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES) Description: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This survey has been designed to collect information about the health and diet of people in the United States. NHANES is unique in that it combines a home interview with health tests that are done in a Mobile Examination Center. Much of the current obesity prevalence data is derived from NHANES. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Description: The BRFSS, the world's largest telephone survey, tracks health risks in the United States. Information from the survey is used to improve the health of the American people. Body Mass Index information is collected for states, which has provided the way to rank states for prevalence of obesity. Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans Description: The Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans is part of a larger report on Health of Americans. The National Institutes of Health The National Institutes of Health is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. The goals of the agency are: 1) foster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and their applications as a basis to advance significantly the Nation's capacity to protect and improve health; 2) develop, maintain, and renew scientific human and physical resources that will assure the Nation's capability to prevent disease; 3) expand the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences in order to enhance the Nation's economic well-being and ensure a continued high return on the public investment in research; and 4) exemplify and promote the highest level of scientific integrity, public accountability, and social responsibility in the conduct of science. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Description: Obesity information includes Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults and those guidelines in format for palm pilots. Also available is the NHLBI Obesity Education Initiative, launched in January, 1991. The overall purpose of the initiative is to help reduce the prevalence of overweight along with the prevalence of physical inactivity in order to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and overall morbidity and mortality from CHD. In addition, reducing the prevalence of overweight will help reduce the prevalence and severity of sleep apnea. National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Description: NIDDK is the home of WIN, the Weight Information Network, an information dissemination service. Information is available on many different topics related to weight control. Also available is Sisters Together, Move More, Eat Better, a national media-based program designed to encourage Black women 18 and over to maintain a healthy weight by becoming more physically active and making healthier food choices. Description: US Food and Drug Administration produces the FDA Consumer magazine, which includes the article Overweight, Obesity Threaten US Health Gains in the March-April 2002 issue. The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for evaluation of medical procedures and prescription drugs used for weight control United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Information Center Description: The URL provides the front page for Reports and Studies on Obesity. Some of the reports and studies are referenced through the Centers for Disease Control. Others are unique to USDA, including food consumption studies. USDA is responsible for identifying the amount of food produced and the uses for that food in the United States. Also included is information on a new program to study the long and short-term effects of various types of weight reduction diets. Even though there are hundreds of different diets available, there is a dearth of reliable information about the effects of those diets. Description: An overview site for U.S. government nutrition programs. Sites include food facts, food safety, lifecycle issues, health management, food assistance, research, and resources. Description: The President's new Initiative for a healthier nation. Non Government SitesDescription: Overweight and obesity increase the risk for development of type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. The mission of the organization is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To fulfill this mission, the American Diabetes Association funds research, publishes scientific findings, provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health care professionals and the public. The Association is also actively involved in advocating for scientific research and for the rights of people with diabetes. Description: The organization provides a wide variety of information about heart disease, hypertension and stroke. Included is a healthy lifestyles section identifying ways to manage lifestyle (nutrition, physical activity, stress and other topics) to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. American Institute for Cancer Research Description: Most cancers can be prevented. The site provides information, research updates, and tips for good health. Included is the New American Plate, with dietary recommendations for greater intake of plant foods and a reduction in animal based foods. Description: The official site for the dietetics profession. Information on healthy lifestyle, policy issues related to nutrition and health, and nutrition resources. International Food Information Council Foundation Description: The IFIC Foundation mission is to communicate science-based information on food safety and nutrition to health and nutrition professionals, educators, journalists, government officials and others providing information to consumers. IFIC is supported primarily by the broad-based food, beverage and agricultural industries. North American Association for the Study of Obesity Description: The North American Association for the Study of Obesity is an interdisciplinary society whose purpose is to develop, extend and disseminate knowledge in the field of obesity. Publishes the Obesity Research journal. International Association for the Study of Obesity Description: Publishers of the International Journal of Obesity, Obesity Review and the IASO Obesity Newsletter. A sponsor of the International Obesity Task Force, which seeks to raise international awareness among politicians and leaders, the medical and health communities as well as the general public. The seriousness of the global obesity problem affecting the developing as well as the developed world must be recognized. Research will continue to identify the full extent of the problem and offer guidance and proposals on how to develop and improve strategies worldwide for the prevention and management on this disease. The IOTF is working towards convening a world summit gathering to make a declaration on obesity. A commitment from governments is needed to recognize obesity as an epidemic which poses a serious threat to public health worldwide. "Here you will find what we think is the most comprehensive site on obesity and overweight on the Internet. Obesity is not a simple condition of eating too much. It is now recognized that obesity is a serious, chronic disease. No human condition - not race, religion, gender, ethnicity or disease state - compares to obesity in prevalence and prejudice, mortality and morbidity, sickness and stigma." (Copied from the web site) Obesity On-Line, an e-magazine OBESITY - ONLINE is a multi-disciplinary forum for research and treatment of massive obesity, including plastics, psychiatry, endo-crinology, nutrition, nursing, dietetics and allied health. Articles on physiology, internal medicine, psychology, surgery, education/training centers, and patient information. |
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