Local Government Actions to Prevent Childhood Obesity

Local Government Actions to Prevent Childhood Obesity
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 107
Release: 2010-01-10
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309139279

The prevalence of childhood obesity is so high in the United States that it may reduce the life expectancy of today's generation of children. While parents and other adult caregivers play a fundamental role in teaching children about healthy behaviors, even the most positive efforts can be undermined by local environments that are poorly suited to supporting healthy behaviors. For example, many communities lack ready sources of healthy food choices, such as supermarkets and grocery stores. Or they may not provide safe places for children to walk or play. In such communities, even the most motivated child or adolescent may find it difficult to act in healthy ways. Local governments-with jurisdiction over many aspects of land use, food marketing, community planning, transportation, health and nutrition programs, and other community issues-are ideally positioned to promote behaviors that will help children and adolescents reach and maintain healthy weights. Local Government Actions to Prevent Childhood Obesity presents a number of recommendations that touch on the vital role of government actions on all levels-federal, state, and local-in childhood obesity prevention. The book offers healthy eating and physical activity strategies for local governments to consider, making it an excellent resource for mayors, managers, commissioners, council members, county board members, and administrators.

Children's Health, the Nation's Wealth

Children's Health, the Nation's Wealth
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2004-10-18
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0309166608

Children's health has clearly improved over the past several decades. Significant and positive gains have been made in lowering rates of infant mortality and morbidity from infectious diseases and accidental causes, improved access to health care, and reduction in the effects of environmental contaminants such as lead. Yet major questions still remain about how to assess the status of children's health, what factors should be monitored, and the appropriate measurement tools that should be used. Children's Health, the Nation's Wealth: Assessing and Improving Child Health provides a detailed examination of the information about children's health that is needed to help policy makers and program providers at the federal, state, and local levels. In order to improve children's health-and, thus, the health of future generations-it is critical to have data that can be used to assess both current conditions and possible future threats to children's health. This compelling book describes what is known about the health of children and what is needed to expand the knowledge. By strategically improving the health of children, we ensure healthier future generations to come.

Vibrant and Healthy Kids

Vibrant and Healthy Kids
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 621
Release: 2019-12-27
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309493382

Children are the foundation of the United States, and supporting them is a key component of building a successful future. However, millions of children face health inequities that compromise their development, well-being, and long-term outcomes, despite substantial scientific evidence about how those adversities contribute to poor health. Advancements in neurobiological and socio-behavioral science show that critical biological systems develop in the prenatal through early childhood periods, and neurobiological development is extremely responsive to environmental influences during these stages. Consequently, social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors significantly affect a child's health ecosystem and ability to thrive throughout adulthood. Vibrant and Healthy Kids: Aligning Science, Practice, and Policy to Advance Health Equity builds upon and updates research from Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity (2017) and From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development (2000). This report provides a brief overview of stressors that affect childhood development and health, a framework for applying current brain and development science to the real world, a roadmap for implementing tailored interventions, and recommendations about improving systems to better align with our understanding of the significant impact of health equity.

Family-centered Care for Children Needing Specialized Health and Developmental Services

Family-centered Care for Children Needing Specialized Health and Developmental Services
Author: Terri L. Shelton
Publisher:
Total Pages: 120
Release: 1994
Genre: Child health services
ISBN: 9780937821879

This monograph articulates eight key elements of a family-centered approach to policy and practice for children needing specialized health and developmental services. An introductory section reviews the development of the first edition of the monograph in 1987 and its widespread dissemination and acceptance since that time. Each of the following eight chapters then addresses one of the following elements: (1) recognition that the family is the constant in the child's life, while the service systems and support personnel within those systems fluctuate; (2) facilitation of family/professional collaboration at all levels of hospital, home, and community care; (3) exchange of complete and unbiased information between families and professionals in a supportive manner; (4) respect for cultural diversity within and across all families including ethnic, racial, spiritual, social, economic, educational, and geographic diversity; (5) recognition of different methods of coping and promotion of programs providing developmental, educational, emotional, environmental, and financial supports to families; (6) encouragement of family-to-family support and networking; (7) provision of hospital, home, and community service and support systems that are flexible, accessible, and comprehensive in meeting family-identified needs; and (8) appreciation of families as families, recognizing their wide range of strengths, concerns, emotions, and aspirations beyond their need for specialized health and developmental services and support. Checklists for evaluating these elements are attached. (Contains 160 references.) (DB)

Nutrition and Healthy Aging in the Community

Nutrition and Healthy Aging in the Community
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 152
Release: 2012-06-15
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309253101

The U.S. population of older adults is predicted to grow rapidly as "baby boomers" (those born between 1946 and 1964) begin to reach 65 years of age. Simultaneously, advancements in medical care and improved awareness of healthy lifestyles have led to longer life expectancies. The Census Bureau projects that the population of Americans 65 years of age and older will rise from approximately 40 million in 2010 to 55 million in 2020, a 36 percent increase. Furthermore, older adults are choosing to live independently in the community setting rather than residing in an institutional environment. Furthermore, the types of services needed by this population are shifting due to changes in their health issues. Older adults have historically been viewed as underweight and frail; however, over the past decade there has been an increase in the number of obese older persons. Obesity in older adults is not only associated with medical comorbidities such as diabetes; it is also a major risk factor for functional decline and homebound status. The baby boomers have a greater prevalence of obesity than any of their historic counterparts, and projections forecast an aging population with even greater chronic disease burden and disability. In light of the increasing numbers of older adults choosing to live independently rather than in nursing homes, and the important role nutrition can play in healthy aging, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) convened a public workshop to illuminate issues related to community-based delivery of nutrition services for older adults and to identify nutrition interventions and model programs. Nutrition and Healthy Aging in the Community summarizes the presentations and discussions prepared from the workshop transcript and slides. This report examines nutrition-related issues of concern experienced by older adults in the community including nutrition screening, food insecurity, sarcopenic obesity, dietary patterns for older adults, and economic issues. This report explores transitional care as individuals move from acute, subacute, or chronic care settings to the community, and provides models of transitional care in the community. This report also provides examples of successful intervention models in the community setting, and covers the discussion of research gaps in knowledge about nutrition interventions and services for older adults in the community.

Arthrogryposis

Arthrogryposis
Author: Lynn T. Staheli
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 298
Release: 1998-04-28
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780521571067

The term arthrogryposis describes a range of congenital contractures that lead to childhood deformities. It encompasses a number of syndromes and sporadic deformities that are rare individually but collectively are not uncommon. Yet, the existing medical literature on arthrogryposis is sparse and often confusing. The aim of this book is to provide individuals affected with arthrogryposis, their families, and health care professionals with a helpful guide to better understand the condition and its therapy. With this goal in mind, the editors have taken great care to ensure that the presentation of complex clinical information is at once scientifically accurate, patient oriented, and accessible to readers without a medical background. The book is authored primarily by members of the medical staff of the Arthrogryposis Clinic at Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, one of the leading teams in the management of the condition, and will be an invaluable resource for both health care professionals and families of affected individuals.

Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States

Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States
Author: US Global Change Research Program
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 592
Release: 2018-02-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1510726217

As global climate change proliferates, so too do the health risks associated with the changing world around us. Called for in the President’s Climate Action Plan and put together by experts from eight different Federal agencies, The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health: A Scientific Assessment is a comprehensive report on these evolving health risks, including: Temperature-related death and illness Air quality deterioration Impacts of extreme events on human health Vector-borne diseases Climate impacts on water-related Illness Food safety, nutrition, and distribution Mental health and well-being This report summarizes scientific data in a concise and accessible fashion for the general public, providing executive summaries, key takeaways, and full-color diagrams and charts. Learn what health risks face you and your family as a result of global climate change and start preparing now with The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health.