July 28,2010 
Child exposure to food ads may be declining. A new study indicates that daily average exposure to food ads between 2003 and 2007 fell by 13.7% among young children age 2-5 and 3.7% among 6-11 years old but increased by 3.7% among 12-17 year olds. Exposure to sweet food ads was down as were beverage ads “with a substantial decline in the most heavily advertised sugar-sweetened beverages.” Exposure to fast food ads increased. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20603457″>Trends in Exposure to Television Food Advertisemen… [Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2010] – PubMed result
July 24, 2010
Analyses throw doubts on fruits and vegetables, physical activity to control obesity. A review of the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake with adult and childhood obesity casts doubt on how strong it the relationship with weight management. The review was undertaken by TA LeDoux and colleagues from the Department of Pediatrics at the USDA/Agricultural Research Service Childrens’ Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine. They found that, after reviewing 772 studies, increased food and vegetable consumption (in conjunction with other behaviors) contributed to reduced adiposity among overweight or obese adults but no association was shown among children. While the quality of the studies varied widely, the relationship between high fruit and vegetable consumption and low obesity among “was weak” and among children “unclear.” The study can be accessed at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20633234″>Relationship of fruit and vegetable intake with ad… [Obes Rev. 2010] – PubMed result
In a separate study, doctors in Plymouth, United Kingdom following 202 children for 7 to 10 years, found that overweight preceded physical inactivity, not the other way around. As most childhood obesity interventions assume inactivity precedes obesity, this study, if validated, indicates a change in strategy to combat childhood obesity. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20573741″>Fatness leads to inactivity, but inactivity does n… [Arch Dis Child. 2010] – PubMed result
July 22, 2010
The Department of Health and Human Services today announced regulations implementing provisions of the health care reform legislation signed into law in March by President Obama. The regulations strengthen the rights of consumers to appeals claims denials and recissions. In addition, an external review procedure will be available to review initial claims decisions. Many persons with obesity have had problems in getting insurance coverage of bariatric surgery and other interventions and have been frustrated with the appeals process. Plans that pre-existed enactment of health care reform and have not changed are considered ‘grandfathered’ and are exempt from these regulations unless their plans change. See more at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/07/20100722a.html”>Administration Announces New Affordable Care Act Measures to Protect Consumers and Put Patients Back in Charge of Their Care
July 21, 2010
Because of ‘stealth’ provision, millions will see an expansion of intensive counseling for obesity. See The Daily Downey.
April 30, 2010
Gallup Survey of over 670,000 Americans finds obesity rates continue to rise. Americans Making No Progress on Obesity
April 7, 2010
Consumer Alert: FDA issues warning on “fat burning” injections using such names as mesotherapy, lipozap, lipotherapy, or injection lipolysis. Seehttp://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2010/nida-28.htmFDA Issues Warning Letters for Drugs Promoted in Fat Elimination Procedure
March 31, 2010
Orexigen Therapeutics Submits new obesity drug to FDA for approval Orexigen(R) Therapeutics Submits Contrave(R) New Drug Application to FDA for the Treatment of Obesity
March 31, 2010
Department of Health and Human Services addresses similarities between obesity and addiction. Common Mechanisms of Drug Abuse and Obesity, March 28, 2010 News Release – National Institutes of Health (NIH)
WHAT DOES HEALTH CARE REFORM MEAN FOR OBESITY?
Questions and Answers
By Morgan Downey, J.D.
March 23, 2010
With Sunday’s vote in the House of Representatives, the long-awaited health care reform legislation is on track become law. A great deal has been written about health care reform during the past year but little attention has been paid to how reform might affect the obesity epidemic.
Obesity is the most prevalent, fatal, chronic disease in the United States. 68% of American adults are overweight or obese, constituting a majority of the US population. This Q&A is not intended to cover the entire scope of the health care reform legislation but only to explain how it is likely to affect persons with obesity and the future of the obesity epidemic. (N.B. At several points, the legislation incorporates recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) meaning that these recommendations become covered services. The USPSTF has two obesity specific recommendations at level B: one for screening for obesity and the second for intensive behavioral counseling. The intensive behavioral counseling could open the door for extensive new services.)
1. What does the bill do to help the millions of Americans with obesity?
Briefly:If you have obesity, have a medical condition and have not had health insurance for six months, you will be able to purchase coverage through a temporary high risk pool. (The pool is ‘temporary’ until the health exchanges are implemented).
If you have obesity and receive Medicare or Medicaid, you will see more preventive services fully covered.
If you have obesity and employer provided health insurance several provisions may affect you.
A. If you have had claims denied because of a pre-existing condition (either obesity or an obesity-related co-morbid condition), you should have an easier time getting such claims paid starting in 2014.
B. If you have reached lifetime caps on coverage, within six months of enactment, insurers will be prohibited from placing lifetime limits on the dollar value of coverage and from rescinding coverage, except in the case of fraud. Insurance companies will also be prohibited from canceling policies on people who get sick. (These are called recissions and ‘height and weigh’ is one of the four most common health reasons for a recissions according to a December 2009 report from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).
C. Six months after enactment, private, qualified health plans will have to provide, without cost-sharing, preventive services with an A or B recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
D. More expensive “Cadillac” health plans will start being taxed in 2018. To the extent that these plans may provide coverage of bariatric surgery and related services, they may scale back.
2. Is it all good?
Briefly, yes and no.
If you have obesity and have employer-paid health insurance, you may be paying more – potentially a lot more-for it. While the new law will ban discrimination on the basis of health status, an exception exists whereby persons in an employee wellness program can be charged up to 50% of the value of their health insurance premium if they do not meet specific health criteria, such as weight. Intensive behavioral counseling for obesity will become more available. Whether insurers will have to provide bariatric surgery or drugs for treating obesity will be decided by a Health Benefits Advisory Board which will make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Third, the tax deduction for medical expenses will change. Currently, individuals can deduct unreimbursed medical expenses (including physician recommended weight loss costs) to the extent they exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income. The threshold will rise to 10%. This potentially hurts individuals with multiple chronic conditions and/or high, unreimbursed medical costs.
3. Does Medicare coverage of obesity change?
Medicare beneficiaries would receive a comprehensive health risk assessment and a personalized prevention plan. Incentives would be provided to Medicare beneficiaries to compete behavioral modification programs.Medicare’s current coverage of bariatric surgery does not change.The ban for drugs to treat obesity under Part D continues in effect.
4. What about coverage of obesity in Medicaid?
Current state-by-state coverage in Medicaid for bariatric surgery and drugs to treat obesity should not change. (Medicaid may cover drugs for obesity if the state applies for a waiver from a prohibition in the Medicaid statute.)
The Medicaid program will go through its largest expansion since its inception. If cost-sharing is removed for covered recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force (see above), state Medicaid programs will have their federal matching rates increased. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also instructed to develop preventive and obesity-related services for Medicaid enrollees, including obesity screening and counseling for children and adults. Each state is directed to develop a public awareness campaign to educate Medicaid enrollees regarding the “availability and coverage of such services with the goal of reducing incidences of obesity.”
HHS will develop incentives to encourage behavioral change in Medicaid enrollees. A new state option will be developed for Medicaid, allowing enrollees with multiple chronic conditions to select a medical home.
5. What does the law do about childhood obesity?
While often overlooked, the expanding coverage includes providing health insurance to millions of children whose parents do not have coverage now. For the increasing numbers of children and adolescents with obesity, their related conditions, like type 2 diabetes and hypertension, will now be covered. Starting in 6 months, children cannot be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions. In addition to the coverage components, the law provides funding for a childhood obesity demonstration project.
6. What about prevention of obesity?
The bill establishes a National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council to coordinate federal prevention, wellness and public health activities and develop a national strategy to improve the nation’s health. The strategy is due one year after the enactment. A Prevention and Wellness Trust is authorized to carry out the national strategy. A grant program is developed for 5 years to support the delivery of evidence-based and community based prevention and wellness service aimed at reducing chronic disease rates.
Under Section 4201, the Secretary of HHS shall develop a competitive grant program for states and local governments for “the implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of evidence-based community preventive health activities in order to reduce chronic disease rates, prevent the development of secondary conditions and address health disparities.”
i. This includes creating healthier school environments, including increasing healthy food options, physical activity opportunities, promotion of health lifestyle, emotional wellness, and prevention curricula.”
ii. Also included are “developing and promoting programs targeting a variety of age levels to increase access to nutrition, physical activity;”
iii. “assessing and implementing worksite wellness programming and incentives; working to highlight healthy options at restaurants and other food venues.
iv. Grantees must report changes in weight, nutrition, physical activity.
b. Section 4202(a) provides a health aging program. Grants are to be provided to states and local governments for the 55 to 64 year old population “to improve nutrition, increase physical activity.” Covered are screenings to identify those with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.” Those identified with such risk factors are to be referred to clinical services.
c. Section 4202(b) provides for an evaluation and plan for community-based prevention and wellness programs for Medicare beneficiaries to reduce their risk of disease, disability and injury by making healthy lifestyle choices, including exercise, diet and self-management of chronic diseases.
7. Does the law affect research on obesity?
a. The bill establishes a non-profit Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to identify research priorities and conduct research which compares the clinical effectiveness of medical treatments. This is effective on enactment.
b. Section 4301 provides for research on optimizing the delivery of public health services.
c. Section 399MM1 provides for studies of worksite health policies and programs. No part of such recommendations, data or assessments can be used to mandate requirements for workplace wellness programs.
d. Section 4402 also provides for effectiveness research of health and wellness programs for federal employees.
e. Under the reconciliation changes passed by the House of Representatives and on its way for approval by the Senate, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid will identify the most cost-intensive services for Medicare which shall ‘inform’ research priorities within the Department of Health and Human Service to improve prevention, treatment or cure of such diseases and conditions.
8. What are the other parts of the bill affect obesity?
The Secretary of HHS is mandated to develop, within one month of passage, an education and outreach campaign regarding preventive health services. The campaign must address proper nutrition, regular exercise and obesity reduction. It is mandated that the Secretary develop a website for health care providers and consumers to provide science-based information on guidelines for nutrition, exercise, obesity reduction and specific chronic disease prevention. Another website is to be developed with a “personalized prevention plan tool. This would include determining individual disease risk, based in part on Body Mass Index.
a. Of particular value for persons with morbid obesity, Section 4203 provides for the removal of barriers to medical devices for individuals with disabilities. Under this provision, standards will be developed to ensure that medical diagnostic equipment used in physician’s offices, clinics, hospitals and other medical settings to ensure that the equipment is accessible to and usable by individuals with accessibility needs to allow independent entry to and use of such equipment.
b. Restaurants which are part of a chain of 20 or more locations doing business under the same name must disclose for ‘standard menu items’ the nutrient content including calories in the item with the suggested daily caloric intake on the menu as well as a drive-through menu board. Self-service items must also display the calorie information. Restaurants and others, such as vending machine operators, may voluntary register to be part of the program. Regulations must be issued within a year of enactment.
c. In some studies, breast-feeding has been found to be preventive for the development of obesity in the child. For breast-feeding women, employers with over 50 employees must a reasonable break time to express breast milk for one year after the child’s birth, each time the employee has a need to express the milk and a place, other than a bathroom that is shielded from view and free from intrusion. Employers need not provide compensation for such time.
d. The Secretary of Labor is authorized to set up a grant program for employer wellness programs. Behavioral change is encouraged which provides for altering employee healthy lifestyles through counseling, seminars, on-line programs or self-help materials. Obesity is specifically listed as a focus. Participation cannot be mandated or conditioned on obtaining a health insurance premium discount, rebate or other financial reward.
9. What is not in the bill?
A proposed tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is not in the legislation.
10. What next?
The bill is large and complex. Many issues, especially regarding inclusion of surgery and drugs in health benefit plans, be have to be resolved by regulations from the Department of Health and Human Services. For example, while the USPSTF recommendation for intensive behavioral counseling does not include frequency, intensity and duration. These will need to be specified.
March 20, 2010
Employers are increasingly using punitive measures against employees’ health status according to annual Hewitt Associates annual survey of 600 U.S. companies. Over half of employers plan to monitor employee behavioral changes or behavioral modification. http://www.hewittassociates.com/Intl/NA/en-US/AboutHewitt/Newsroom/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?cid=8219″>Hewitt Survey Shows Employers Continuing to Invest in Health of Workers Despite Uncertainty of Future Health Care Landscape – Hewitt Associates – Human Resources Consulting and Outsourcing – About Hewitt – Newsroom
March 19, 2010
Extreme Obesity increases in children
A new study from Kaiser Permanente finds alarming increases in extreme obesity in children. Using electronic medical records of 710,949 patients ages 2 to 19 enrolled in Kaiser health programs in Southern California, researchers found about 6.4% of children have extreme obesity. (The researchers used a relatively new definition of extreme obesity from the Centers for Disease Control of 120% of the 95 percentile of weight for age). 7.3% of boys and 5.5% of girls were described as have extreme obesity. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-18/extreme-obesity-found-in-6-4-of-children-kaiser-study-finds.html”>Extreme Obesity Found in 6.4% of Children, Kaiser Study Finds – BusinessWeek
Does increasing physically activity in kids prevent obesity in adults?
Many campaigns for the prevention of obesity in children, including efforts of First Lady Michelle Obama, stress physical activity under the belief that patterns of physical activity will continue through life and will avoid obesity. It may not be that easy. A study out of Canada followed 374 participants age 7 to 18 years of age for 22 years. They found that only 18% of the most physically active children remained physically active in later life. In contrast 38% of the heaviest children, by BMI, continued to have a high BMI as adults. 83% of overweight youth remained overweight as adults while 85% of adults were not overweight as children. Almost all healthy weight adults had been healthy weight as children. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19922043″>Tracking of obesity and physical activity from chi… [Int J Pediatr Obes. 2009] – PubMed result. Earlier studies found that physical activity in adolescence may track into adulthood for women but not for men. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16672846″>Risk of obesity in relation to physical activity t… [Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006] – PubMed result.
March 18, 2010
The STOP Obesity Alliance conducted a press conference on March 16, 2010, releasing a survey of physicians and patients on primary care for patients with obesity as well as a white paper on the topic. See, http://www.stopobesityalliance.org/newsroom/press-releases/”>http://www.stopobesityalliance.org/newsroom/press-releases/</a> and,
Coverage included:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/doctors-and-patients-not-talking-about-weight.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2010/03/you_get_weighed_at_the_doctors.html”>The Checkup – You get weighed at the doctor’s office. Then what?
Physician interactions with patients who are obese is a hot topic. Other recent stories include,
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/23/prsa1123.htm”>amednews: Obese patients say some doctors disrespectful :: Nov. 23, 2009 … American Medical News
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/health/16essa.html?scp=5&sq=obesity&st=cse”>Essay – For Obese People, Prejudice in Plain Sight – NYTimes.com
March 7, 2010
Social pressure keeps weight of Japanese women low…but not for men and children. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/04/AR2010030401436.html”>Big in Japan? Fat chance for nation’s young women, obsessed with being skinny – washingtonpost.com. Meanwhile, stress of White House bringing poor habits and excess weight to Obama advisor.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/us/politics/07axelrod.html?adxnnl=1&hpw=&adxnnlx=1267980789-auEREV8zyhS1D+W8ygEvBg”>David Axelrod, Obama’s Message Maven, Finds Fingers Pointing at Him – NYTimes.com
March 3, 2010
New study shows presence of multiple inflammation markers in obese children as young as 3 years old. Inflammation is considered to cause long term damage to the heart. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20194272?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1″>Multiple Markers of Inflammation and Weight Status… [Pediatrics. 2010] – PubMed result
March 2, 2010
Childhood obesity continuing to increase http://www.usnews.com/health/family-health/childrens-health/articles/2010/03/02/child-obesity-rates-going-up.html”>Child Obesity Rates Going Up – US News and World Report as children are seen as constantly eating. ttp://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6210HC20100302″>Snacks mean U.S. kids moving toward constant eating | Reuters Article exposes fallacy of addressing obesity by making “little changes.” http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/in-obesity-epidemic-whats-one-cookie”>In Obesity Epidemic, What’s One Cookie? – Well Blog – NYTimes.com. In the meantime, President Obama’s liking of burgers and smokes shows he’s a ‘regular guy.’ http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/category/the-44th-president”>THE 44TH PRESIDENT – The Caucus Blog – NYTimes.com
Survey provides reinforcement that most Americans think they are healthy…it’s the other guy who isn’t living a healthy lifestyle. http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/most-americans-think-s-others-who-are-unhealthy.html?par=ivillage%3Ayth%3Aoutbrain”>Most Americans Think It’s Others Who Are Unhealthy – iVillage Your Total Health
The most recent study on mortality and obesity was published in February 2010 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19680230?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=4″>Individual and aggregate years-of-life-lost associ… [Obesity (Silver Spring). 2010] – PubMed result. The research by Eric Finkelstein et al found that overweight and low level obesity were not associated with a reduction in life expectancy. However, higher BMI levels are associated with reduced life expectancy. Overall, excess body weight is associated with 95 million Years of Life Lost (YLL). White females account for more than 2/3 of this amount. The authors predict that, unless the rising prevalence of those with BMIs over 35 is reduced, or improvements in medical care are made, overall life expectancy in the US will decrease. The article notes that the mortality rate for obesity might be higher if not for improved medical treatments. They note that 10 of the 25 most prescribed medications are for obesity related conditions.
February 28, 2010
USA Today story describes middle age weight losers hitting a brick wall. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2010-03-01-WLCstubbornweightloss01_CV_N.htm”>Middle-aged dieters hit a brick wall after 10 pounds or so – USATODAY.com
February 26, 2010
Institute of Medicine announces program to examine front-of-package nutrition labeling requirements. http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Nutrition/NutritionSymbols.aspx”>Examination of Front-of-Package Nutrition Rating Systems and Symbols – Institute of Medicine
(Footnote: About time! I raised the proposal for putting calorie information on the front of packaged foods in 2003. <ahttp://www.scribd.com/doc/1370463/US-Food-and-Drug-Administration-03n0338tr00002″>US Food and Drug Administration: 03n-0338-tr00002
February 25, 2010
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announces plan to combat obesity in California. http://californianewswire.com/2010/02/25/CNW6898_173852.php”>Ca. Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Actions to Fight Obesity, Promote Healthy Living : Thu, 25 Feb 2010 : California Newswire™
February 23, 2010
President Obama’s health care proposal includes obesity
President Obama’s health care proposal, announced on before the ‘health care summit’ contains funding for state and local governments to develop strategies for chronic diseases “including those associated with obesity and tobacco use.” The proposal also promises “unprecedented investments in disease research and prevention” while at the same time requiring posting of calorie information in restaurants and in vending machines.
States and health care providers would receive evidence-based recommendations on preventive and “obesity-related” services for Americans on Medicaid. States will be encouraged to develop innovative childhood obesity preventive programs. Small businesses will be allowed to compete for grants to develop wellness programs through the CDC. For Medicare beneficiaries, annual wellness visits will be fully covered as well as personalized prevention plans. Co-payments for preventive care will be waived. http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting/proposal/titleiv/communities”>Title IV. Prevention of Chronic Disease and Improving Public Health | The White House
The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that the Administration bill does include the Safeway provision which could penalize employees who do not meet certain health standards, including weight. http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/housesenatebill_final.pdf”>http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/housesenatebill_final.pdf. The bill does not specify minimum benefit packages. There is no mention of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
February 21, 2010
New study by Kenneth Thorpe and Lynda Ogden in Health Affairs finds rising Medicare costs from chronic diseases, many related to obesity – hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, cancer, mental disorders and asthma. Spending has also shifted from inpatient hospital care to outpatient visits and drugs. Most all Medicare patients utilize these services http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/hlthaff.2009.0474v1″>Chronic Conditions Account For Rise In Medicare Spending From 1987 To 2006 — Thorpe et al., 10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0474 — Health Affairs
February 20, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama’s childhood obesity initiative (see http://letsmove.gov/”>Let’s Move) produces attack from Glenn Beck http://mediamatters.org/blog/201002120036″>Beck attacks Michelle Obama for trying to raise awareness of and combat childhood obesity | Media Matters for America and defense from Mike Huckabee http://mediamatters.org/blog/201002190060″>Huckabee warns that “conservatives are going to” attack Michelle Obama’s obesity initiative — but Glenn Beck already has | Media Matters for America, See preview of Huckabee’s interview with Michelle Obama <a href=”http://www.foxnews.com/huckabee”>Huckabee – FOXNews.com
February 19, 2010
Harvard researchers wanted to look at childhood chronic health conditions over time to see what fluctuations, if any, took place. Chronic conditions were grouped into 4 categories: obesity, asthma, other physical conditions and behavior/learning problems. Three cohorts of children were examined: those born in 1988, 1994 and 2000. Rates of maternal obesity increased in each cohort. The prevalence of any chronic condition increased with each cohort. The study found remission in several chronic conditions, except for obesity which increased substantially over time. Associations were found between maternal obesity and any chronic condition and with minority race.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20159870?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1″>Dynamics of obesity and chronic health conditions … [JAMA. 2010] – PubMed result
Researchers are increasingly looking at early life factors. A study of 1,100 children found that being female, having diabetes exposure in utero, larger size for gestational age, shorter breastfeeding duration and rapid infant weight gain predicted higher childhood BMI. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19940472?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=3″>Early-Life Predictors of Higher Body Mass Index in… [Ann Nutr Metab. 2010] – PubMed result
February 16, 2010
The folks at the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture have come out with the Food Atlas, a comprehensive map down to the county level from fast food outlets to taxes. Check it out at <a href=”http://ers.usda.gov/foodatlas”>Food Environment Atlas. Thanks to a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the University of Wisconsin has issued county health maps comparing the health in counties with others in the state. All counties in the United States are included, except for the District of Columbia which is left out. Cost is also left out as a factor in health care access. <a href=”http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/”>County Health Rankings
February 16, 2010
The debate over bariatric surgery for adolescents heats up http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/weight-loss-surgery-for-teens”>Weight Loss Surgery for Teens – Well Blog – NYTimes.com. Fueled by part by new study from Australia http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20145228?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=2″>Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in severel… [JAMA. 2010] – PubMed result
February 13, 2010
The Tipping Point for Childhood Obesity may be as young as 3 months to 2 years of age. In a new study published in the journal Clinical Pediatrics, researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of 184 children between 2 and 20. More than half the children became overweight before age 2 and all patients were obese or overweight by age 10. The authors note that food preferences are also set at an early age, probably by age 2. The rate of gain was approximately 1 excess BMI unit per year. The study indicates that the critical period for preventing childhood obesity is during the first 2 years and for many it may as little as 3 months of age. The study looked at two different socioeconomic groups and found the same pattern. Pediatricians were urged to take BMIs earlier and look for ‘small’ changes which can lead to obesity. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20150210?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=2″>Identifying the “Tipping Point” Age for Overweight… [Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2010] – PubMed result
Some positive news comes in another study showing that pre-school children exposed to 3 routines: regular evening family meals, adequate sleep and limited screen viewing had approximately 40% lower prevalence of obesity compared to those exposed to none of these routines.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20142280?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=12″>Household Routines and Obesity in US Preschool-Age… [Pediatrics. 2010] – PubMed result
Unfortunately, the effectiveness of weight loss interventions for children under 5 leave a lot to be desired. See two reviews: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com.proxygw.wrlc.org/journal/123276888/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0″>Systematic review of the effectiveness of weight management schemes for the under fives. M. Bond. 2010; Obesity Reviews – Wiley InterScience, and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.proxygw.wrlc.org/pubmed/20107458?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=13″>Interventions to prevent obesity in 0-5 year olds:… [Obesity (Silver Spring). 2010] – PubMed result
In addition, pediatricians may lose interest in weight management over time. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.proxygw.wrlc.org/pubmed/20080520?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1″>Applying practice recommendations for the preventi… [Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2010] – PubMed result
February 11, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama launches national childhood obesity initiative http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/first-lady-michelle-obama-launches-lets-move-americas-move-raise-a-healthier-genera”>First Lady Michelle Obama Launches Let’s Move: America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids | The White House after President Obama signs Executive Memorandum calling for a plan on childhood obesity in 90 days. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-memorandum-establishing-a-task-force-childhood-obesity”>Presidential Memorandum — Establishing a Task Force on Childhood Obesity | The White House
February 4, 2010
Study finds workers with obesity pay for health insurance through lower wages
A new study has confirmed that obese employees with employer-provided health insurance are paid less that their peers because of higher health care costs. Stanford University researchers analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Longitudinal Survey of Your and the Medical Expenditure Panel survey. They found that, on average, obese employees with health insurance were paid $1.42 an hour less that non-obese workers. Women had a higher wage penalty than men. Women with obesity whose employers provided health insurance paid a wage penalty of $2.64. The article is “The incidence of the healthcare costs of obesity,” by Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., and M. Kate Bundorf, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., in the 2009 <em>Journal of Health Economics</em> 28, pp. 649-658.
February 3, 2010
A new study from Europe indicates that a significant portion of persons with morbid obesity (Body Mass Index greater than 40) are missing a section of their DNA. The authors from the Imperial College London and ten other European centers indicate that the missing DNA may have a dramatic effect on some people’s weight. Approximately seven in every thousand people with morbid obesity are missing some 30 genes. See Science Daily report at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100203131401.htm”>Some morbidly obese people are missing genes, shows new research. Abstract at http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v463/n7281/full/nature08727.html”>Access : A new highly penetrant form of obesity due to deletions on chromosome 16p11.2 : Nature
January 29, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Surgeon General Release National Call to Action on Obesity http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/obesityvision/obesityvision2010.pdf”
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/obesityvision/obesityvision2010.pdf.
Most of the document is similar to other DHHS statements on obesity but there is one new aspect. The report draws special attention to the role of obesity in mental illness and calls on the medical community to promote awareness about the connection between mental and addiction disorders and obesity (See the Research Section) and to consider weight neutral medications for persons with severe mental illness.
January 27, 2010
New research indicates physicians can be effective in achieving weight loss in persons with severe obesity.
A study out of Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA, indicates that, with training, primary care providers can achieve weight loss and reduction in metabolic factors with medical intervention alone. Among those who completed the study, 31% in the intensive medical intervention group achieved a weight loss of 5% or more and 7% achieved a 20% or more weight loss compared to 9% and 1% in the usual treatment group. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20101009?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=11″>
Nonsurgical weight loss for extreme obesity in pri… [Arch Intern Med. 2010] – PubMed result. The results come none too soon. A study from Ireland of 700 individuals with obesity over a BMI of 30, found the highest BMIs occurred among those who reported onset of overweight before age 15. The BMI group over 50 was notably younger and had higher metabolic problems. They also had lower rates of marriage and higher unemployment. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20100391?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=19″>BMI = 50 kg/m2 is associated with a younger age … [Public Health Nutr. 2010] – PubMed result
January 25, 2010
Fetal anomalies in children of mothers with obesity may be more due to diabetes than weight alone. High BMIs may be a surrogate for pregestational diabetes. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.proxygw.wrlc.org/pubmed/20093901?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=13″>Fetal anomalies in obese women: the contribution o… [Obstet Gynecol. 2010] – PubMed result
UPDATED CONSUMER SAFETY ALERT
January 23, 2010
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a consumer warning about counterfeit versions of Alli™ being sold over the Internet. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm198519.htm”>UPDATED Public Health Alert: Counterfeit Alli containing sibutramine
Obesity by any measure found to increase risk of ischemic stroke http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.proxygw.wrlc.org/pubmed/20093637?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1″>Race- and Sex-Specific Associations of Obesity Mea… [Stroke. 2010] – PubMed result
SAFETY ALERT: FDA Issues Warning on Meridia.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified health care professionals of increased risk of heart attack and stroke for patients taking sibutramine, marked as Meridia by Abbott Labs. The FDA found increased risk in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, stroke or transient ischemic attack, heart arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, peripheral arterial disease or uncontrolled hypertension. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm198221.htm”>Meridia (sibutramine hydrochloride): Follow-Up to an Early Communication about an Ongoing Safety Review</a> European authorities have taken the drug, called Reductil in Europe, off the market citing the high prevalence of heart problems in persons with obesity many of which may be undiagnosed. <a href=”http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1245176/Obesity-drug-used-86-000-patients-suspended-heart-attack-fears.html”>Obesity drug used by 86,000 patients is suspended over heart attack fears | Mail Online<
Intervene earlier and more aggressively: New recommendations for screening and intensive counseling for youths 6-18 get impetus from finding high lipid levels in adolescents. Almost back-to-back two government agencies have reinforced the need for earlier, more aggressive intervention in children and adolescents with obesity. The United States Preventive Services Task Force has updated its recommendation that clinicians screen children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years of age for obesity and refer those at risk to programs designed to improve their weight status by utilizing three components: counseling for weight loss or a healthy diet, for physical activity, and behavioral management techniques such as goal setting and self monitoring. Moderate- to high-intensity programs involve more than 25 hours of contact with the child and/or the family over a 6-month period. Combining counseling with either sibutramine or orlistat was found to result in modest improvements for children age 12 and over. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspschobes.htm”>Screening for Obesity in Children and Adolescents. The recommendations and evidence statement are available at the journal Pediatrics web site, http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/peds.2009-1955v1?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=obesity&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=date&resourcetype=HWCIT”>Effectiveness of Weight Management Interventions in Children: A Targeted Systematic Review for the USPSTF — Whitlock et al., 10.1542/peds.2009-1955 — Pediatrics
On January 22, 2010 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 20.3% of adolescents aged 12-19 had abnormal lipid levels, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Youths were overweight or obese had higher lipid rates than those with normal weight. Based solely on BMI, 32% of all youths should be candidates for lipid screening. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_wk.html”>MMWR – MMWR Weekly http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2009-10-06-doctors-obesity_N.htm” target=”_blank”>Physicians Getting Active on Obesity
Did you know 3,693 Americans become obese everyday? Check <a href=”http://www.downeyobesityreport.com/2009/09/fact-sheet-2-quick-facts/”>Quick Facts
Has America Reached its Tipping Point on Obesity?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IdtZ-GfFo8” http://www.downeyobesityreport.com/wp-content/uploads//downey_youtube.jpg”
The two most recent surgeons general, Dr. David Satcher, left, and Richard H. Carmona, center, join Morgan Downey, right, at the STOP Obesity Alliance panel discussion at the Newseum in September. The recommendations of the group will provide policymakers guidelines in dealing with obesity in forthcoming reform bills. http://www.stopobesityalliance.org/events/past-events/has-america-reached-its-tipping-point-on-obesity/STOP Obesity Alliance
May 11, 2010 First Lady Michelle Obama delivers report to eliminate childhood obesity White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Report to the President
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April 30, 2010
Gallup Survey of over 670,000 Americans finds obesity rates continue to rise. Americans Making No Progress on Obesity
Remarks of First Lady Michelle Obama
Washington, DC
January 20, 2010
Good afternoon everyone, it’s a pleasure to welcome all of you to Washington today for this year’s winter meeting.
Thank you, Mayor Kautz, for that wonderful introduction, and congratulations on becoming President of this fine organization. I know you’re going to do an excellent job.
I see that Secretary Chu is here, and I want to recognize him for his outstanding leadership at the Department of Energy.
I’d also like to thank my hometown Mayor, Mayor Richard Daley; and past President of this organization, Mayor Joe Riley.
And most of all, I want to thank all of you for the extraordinary work you’re doing every day in cities and towns across this country.
As some of you may know, one of my first jobs was in a mayor’s office – working for Mayor Daley out in Chicago – and I saw firsthand the kind of challenges you all face. Whether it’s handling a crisis in one of your schools, or dealing with cost overruns in paving your streets, or planning for that upcoming snowstorm, you have to be prepared for anything and everything.
And it’s not like you catch a break when you leave the office. Whether it’s at church, or the grocery store, or the Friday night football game, I know that people don’t hesitate to come up and tell you about the problems they’re having, or what they think you could be doing better. And they never hold back.
There’s a reason for that – it’s because you all govern where people feel it most. You see people’s struggles up close and personal. And what you see on the ground is often the first indicator of what’s happening on a national level.
You’re the first to see the impacts of a struggling economy in the lines at your unemployment offices. You’re the first to know that crime rates are rising when you get those arrest reports from your police force. You’re the first to get a sense of job losses when CEOs tell you that they’ve decided to locate their operations overseas rather than in your hometown.
The same is true for issues affecting the physical and mental health of the people you serve. That’s why I wanted to talk with you today about a problem that’s of great concern to me – one that I know many of you are seeing and hearing about every day in your communities…and that is the epidemic of childhood obesity in America today.
Over the past year, I’ve been thinking, reading and speaking a lot about this issue, but the statistics never fail to take my breath away. Right now, nearly one third of children in America are overweight or obese – one in three. And one third of all children today will eventually suffer from diabetes – in the African American and Latino communities, it goes up to almost half.
So it’s not surprising that a study published just this month found that obesity could now be an even greater threat to America’s health than smoking. In fact, medical experts are predicting that this generation is on track to have a shorter lifespan than their parents.
Obesity is also one of the biggest threats to the American economy. If we continue on our current path, in ten years, nearly 50 percent of all Americans will be obese – not just overweight, but obese. So think about how much we’ll be spending on health care to treat obesity-related conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Think about all the missed days of work and decreased productivity we may see as a result.
And think about what this means for our quality of life – for how people feel when they wake up in the morning; whether they can make it through a day of work; whether they can do something as simple as walking to the store, or playing ball with their kids and grandkids.
And this isn’t some far-off, future problem we’re dealing with. Many of you are already seeing some of the costs and consequences in the cities and towns you lead.
You see how kids in your schools are struggling – sitting on the sidelines, unable to keep up with their classmates, visiting the school nurse with weight-related health problems. You see it in your clinics and emergency rooms, in waiting rooms overflowing with folks suffering from preventable obesity-related problems from asthma to high blood pressure to diabetes. One mayor told us that obesity can even impact economic development and job creation because CEOs and entrepreneurs worried about high employee health care costs are sometimes reluctant to set up shop in areas with high obesity rates.
None of us wants this kind of future for our kids or for our country. And I know that a lot of parents out there are worried right now. They desperately want to do what’s right. They desperately want to make responsible, healthy decisions for their kids. But too often, the realities of modern life make it feel like the deck is stacked against them.
Many parents tell me that they want to prepare healthy food for their kids, but there aren’t any supermarkets where they live that sell fresh produce. Or they’re tight on money, and healthy foods seem too expensive. Or they’re tight on time – working longer hours, working two jobs – so they can’t pull off those homecooked meals around the dinner table.
They tell me they want their kids to be physically active, but their schools have cut gym and recess, and there’ve been cuts to sports and afterschool recreation programs too. And the days of those tight-knit neighborhoods, where you could send kids out to play and tell them not to come back until dinner – for many folks, those days are long gone. So many kids wind up spending their afternoons sitting in front of the TV or playing video games instead. In fact, a study released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the average young person in America spends more than seven and a half hours a day using some kind of media device.
And sometimes, parents just don’t have the information they need to make decisions they feel good about. They’re inundated with news reports filled with conflicting information, and with food labels filled with ingredients they can’t even pronounce, let alone know whether those ingredients are healthy.
So really, with all the changes we’ve seen in our society – families having less time together, kids having fewer opportunities to be physically active, the rise of fast food – it’s no wonder that childhood obesity has tripled over the past thirty years.
And I know how stressful it can be for parents to contend with these forces.
Now, in my current life, I’m incredibly blessed, with more help and support than I could ever have imagined. But I didn’t always live in the White House.
It wasn’t that long ago that I was juggling a fulltime job with the round-the-clock role of being a mom. And there were plenty of times when after a long day at work, when the fridge was empty and everyone was hungry, that I just ordered that pizza, because it was easier. Or we went to the drive-thru for burgers, because it was quick and cheap. And I wasn’t always aware of how all the calories and fat in some of the processed foods I was buying were adding up.
It got to the point where our pediatrician kind of tapped me on the shoulder and said, “You know, you might want to consider making some changes.”
So we know that families could use a little help here. But we also know that this isn’t a problem that can be solved from on high. This isn’t something that will be fixed by just a bill in Congress or an executive order from the President. And I know that the last thing you all need right now is a bunch of commands from Washington, or a ton of red tape that makes it hard for you to get anything done at all.
Ultimately, it’s going to take all of us – businesses and non-profits; community centers and health centers; teachers and faith leaders; coaches and parents; and particularly all of you, our nation’s mayors – all working together to help families make commonsense changes so our kids can get, and stay, healthy.
Now, I know that with the economy the way it is, a lot of folks are feeling stretched pretty thin right now. And that’s particularly true of all of you, as you’ve had to make budget cutbacks that lead to all kinds of impossible choices and wrenching tradeoffs.
And there are some people who might ask you: How can you go and spend money on something like healthy school lunches when we’ve got overcrowded classrooms and outdated textbooks to worry about? Or, how can you build parks, or sidewalks, or bike paths when we can barely afford to keep the community health center open?
These are fair questions. But when you step back and think about it, you realize that in the end, they’re really false choices. We’ve all heard from teachers and principals that if kids don’t have the nutrition they need to stay alert and focused in class, even the best textbooks in the world aren’t going to help them learn. And we’ve heard from doctors and public health officials that if they don’t have safe places to play right now, then a few years from now, that community health center will be even more crowded and even more of a strain on your budget.
Ultimately, folks like you know that leadership is about having the foresight – and the courage – to make those sacrifices and investments in the short run that pay big dividends – often paying for themselves many times over – in the long run. And that is precisely what happens when we undertake smart, strategic efforts to help our kids lead active, healthy lives right from the beginning.
That’s why Mayor Robert Cluck of Arlington, Texas – who’s also a doctor, by the way – has been working to get kids more physically active, giving out pedometers at the end of the school year so they can track their steps over summer vacation.
It’s why Mayor Darwin Hindman of Columbia, Missouri is building a system of walkways and bikeways in his city that will connect businesses and shopping centers to schools, parks, and neighborhoods.
Mayor Elaine Walker of Bowling Green, Kentucky has launched a website to encourage residents to exercise, helping them find parks and trail maps and information on upcoming bike rides, and walks and runs.
Mayor Rybak of Minneapolis brought in farmers markets to provide access to fresh produce in underserved areas.
Mayor Curtatone of Somerville, Massachusetts created a partnership with local restaurants as part of a city-wide strategy to fight obesity, promoting restaurants that have agreed to offer low-fat menu options and smaller portions. And he and his staff view every decision they make, every project they manage, as an opportunity to take action for the health of Somerville’s citizens.
Mayor Mick Cornett challenged the people of Oklahoma City to lose a million pounds, and he created a website – thiscityisgoingonadiet.com – where people can learn how to lose weight and track their weight loss, and can share personal stories and tips with others. So far, 40,000 people have signed up – and together, they’ve lost more than half a million pounds.
I’m pleased that the CDC is now offering grants to local health departments to fund more initiatives like this all across America. We’ll be announcing the recipients next month, and I hope that many of you have applied.
And I want to recognize the U.S. Conference of Mayors for your leadership in supporting these efforts as well, including publishing an excellent guide for mayors on how to fight childhood obesity in their cities and towns.
It makes sense that this organization, composed of mayors across the political spectrum, would take the lead on this issue. Because like much of what you do each day, this isn’t a partisan issue. This has nothing to do with whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, liberal or conservative. It’s about the kind of future we want for our kids. And it’s about whether we’re willing to use both our policies and our bully pulpits to build that future.
That’s what Mayor Cornett did, when he started talking about the problem of obesity and lost 40 pounds himself to get down to his target weight. And the people of his city took notice. When he goes to restaurants now, everyone watches what he orders. And a reporter quoted one of his constituents saying, “When the mayor pushes you to lose weight, that says something.”
That’s the kind of impact each of you can have. That’s the power that raising awareness and setting an example yourself can have on an entire city or town.
And that’s what I hope to do during my time as First Lady. That’s why, next month, I’ll be launching a major initiative on childhood obesity that mobilizes the combined resources of the federal government to work with partners across the country, including mayors like all of you, and others in the foundation, business and non-profit sectors.
The idea here is very simple: to put in place commonsense, innovative solutions that empower families and communities to make healthy decisions for their kids.
That includes increasing the number of “healthy schools” where kids have access to nutritious food; providing more opportunities for kids to be physically active; ensuring that affordable healthy food is available in more communities; and giving parents the information they need to make good choices for themselves and their families.
And going forward, I want to hear more from all of you about this. We need your ideas and input. We want to hear your thoughts about which strategies and programs are really working, and which aren’t. We’re looking to you to be leaders on the frontlines of this effort across the country.
In the end, I know that achieving all this won’t be easy – and it won’t be quick. This isn’t the kind of problem that can be solved in one year, or even one Administration. But make no mistake about it, this problem can be solved.
We don’t need to wait for some new invention or discovery to make this happen. This doesn’t require fancy tools or technologies. We have everything thing we need right now – we have the information; we have the ideas; and we have the desire to start solving America’s childhood obesity problem. The only question is whether we have the will.
Are we willing to work across party lines to give our kids a healthy future? Are we willing to change our own habits as we work to change theirs? Are we willing to make every decision about our schools, communities, and cities with the health and well-being of our children in mind? In the end, are we willing to put our kids first?
I’m here today because I think we are – because I think we all know exactly what’s at stake here. It’s what I think about when I tuck my girls into bed at night – how I want them to be happy and healthy and have every chance to follow their aspirations and ambitions. I want them to have the tools they need to succeed in life: not just the education and opportunities – but the physical and emotional strength to seize those opportunities. I want them to be able to engage in life with the energy, endurance, and focus they need to meet the challenges they’ll face along the way.
And I want them to have the blessing that my husband and I have, and that my mother has, of being there to see their own children and grandchildren grown up – and, God-willing, their great grandchildren too.
That’s what I want for them, and for every single child in this country. And I look forward to working with all of you in the months and years ahead to give them that chance. Thank you.
