Trust for America's Health Initiatives

Obesity

Obesity

The obesity epidemic is one of the country's most serious health problems. Adult obesity rates have doubled since 1980, from 15 to 30 percent, while childhood obesity rates have more than tripled. Rising obesity rates have significant health consequences, contributing to increased rates of more than 30 serious diseases. These conditions create a major strain on the health care system. More than one-quarter of health care costs are now related to obesity.

For the past five years, TFAH has issued an annual report F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America to track obesity trends and policies. We conclude that the country is failing to address the obesity crisis with the urgency it deserves. TFAH recommends that a National Strategy to Combat Obesity be created with roles for individuals, families, communities, schools, employers, businesses, insurers, and government.

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Policy Information

April 2011
TFAH Comments on USDA/FNS Proposed Nutritional Standards in National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs

March 2009
TFAH Testimony Before House Agriculture Committee on the State of Obesity in America

September 2008
Presentation of Jeff Levi, PhD, Executive Director, Trust for America's Health at Congressional Briefing about F as in Fat, 2008

July 2008
Letter in Support of the Federal Obesity Prevention Act

More policy information

Press Releases

February 16, 2012
TFAH Statement on Cuts to Prevention Fund to Finance the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate: the Agreement Sells Out America’s Health

February 13, 2012
TFAH Statement on the President’s Budget Announcement: Deeply Disappointed by the Proposed Cuts to Prevention, CDC

February 9, 2012
Harkin Welcomes New Report Showing Reduced Obesity Rates Would Yield Billions in Savings

February 7, 2012
Report Finds Reducing Average Body Mass Index Rates by Five Percent Could Lead to Billions in Health Care Savings

July 7, 2011
New Report: Adult Obesity Increases in 16 States in the Past Year
Since 1995 Rates Have Doubled or Nearly Doubled in 17 States

More press releases

Resources

Selected items from TFAH's Resource Library:

Alliance for a Healthier Generation
A partnership of the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, focused on reducing childhood obesity.

American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is fighting against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; and provides information.

American Obesity Society
The Obesity Society is one of the leading scientific societies dedicated to the study of obesity. Since its foundation in 1982, The Obesity Society has been committed to encouraging research on the causes and treatment of obesity, and to keeping the medical community and public informed of new advances.

Campaign to End Obesity
Through engagement with and education of policymakers, public awareness initiatives and collaborative programs between and among leading stakeholders, CEO will work to identify and facilitate the changes needed to battle obesity, perhaps the leading public health emergency facing our nation today.

CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO) takes a public health approach to address the role of nutrition and physical activity in improving the public's health and preventing and controlling chronic diseases. The scope of DNPAO activities includes epidemiological and behavioral research, surveillance, training and education, intervention development, health promotion and leadership, policy and environmental change, communication and social marketing, and partnership development.

More resources