Summary of Focus Areas for Obesity Prevention in Georgia

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding, with its many benefits for mothers and babies, is recognized as a way to reduce childhood overweight and related chronic diseases. Several studies provide evidence that any breastfeeding as well as breastfeeding for longer durations protect against overweight in childhood, although the mechanism by which this protection occurs is not clearly understood. Despite the need for a better understanding of the relationship between breastfeeding and childhood overweight, a number of studies conclude that promoting breastfeeding would be a reasonable strategy for reducing childhood overweight.

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption (5-A-Day for Better Health)

Dietary guidelines that recommend Americans consume five to nine servings of vegetables and fruit a day are based on substantial scientific evidence. Vegetables and fruit are critical sources of nutrients and other substances important to good health. Increased consumption of vegetables and fruit has clearly been associated with decreased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. Fruit and vegetables can reduce energy intake, promote satisfaction and aid in weight management because of their high water and fiber content, low fat, and low energy density.

Other dietary determinants of energy imbalance
Weight gain occurs when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Topics that play a role in energy imbalance include dietary fat, dietary fiber, macro nutrients and satiety, energy density, sweetened beverages, fast food and restaurant use, dietary patterns, portion sizes, calcium and dairy consumption, and importance of family and parental involvement in interventions to reduce obesity. As interventions are evaluated rigorously, CDC will provide updates to identify and disseminate effective dietary strategies.

Physical Activity

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic diseases that can be prevented or improved through regular physical activity. For example, regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Regular physical activity also helps treat a variety of common illnesses, including arthritis, blood lipid disorders, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

Reduce television time in children and youth
Television viewing is the most common sedentary activity of children in the United States. National cross-sectional surveys have shown a positive association between the number of hours that children watch television and the prevalence of overweight. The mechanisms for the relationship between television time and overweight have not been clearly determined. Proposed mechanisms include the following: television watching may displace physical activity, children may have increased caloric intake while watching TV, children who watch more television may be influenced by advertisements to request, buy or consume more high calorie foods and more snacks, and TV viewing may reduce metabolic rate.