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Weight of the Nation(TM) Conference Re-energizes the Healthy Eating and Active Living Movement

By APPEAL Staff

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On May 7-9, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity hosted a conference entitled, "Weight of the NationTM," which was designed to highlight progress in the prevention and control of obesity through policy and environmental strategies. APPEAL staff were among more than 1,000 elected and appointed public policy makers, public health leaders, partners and researchers in attendance for this important 3-day event.


Some of the key takeaways from the conference included:



  • New forecasts about obesity rates and related medical costs. A new study predicts that, while obesity rates will rise to 42% by 2030, preventing this increase could save nearly $550 billion in medical expenditures over the next two decades. See full study here.

  • A new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) highlights five critical goals for preventing obesity, including: integrating physical activity into our daily lives; making healthy food and beverages widely available; transforming marketing around nutrition and activity; and more. See the full report here.

  • The premiere of HBO's new documentary on obesity. HBO aired a 4-part documentary series on May 14-15, 2012, which confronts America's obesity epidemic. The entire series and related materials are available for free here.


The Weight of the NationTM Conference and the HBO series has re-energized a widespread commitment amongst advocates, stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers to address the obesity epidemic nationwide. APPEAL will also continue to deepen our commitment to addressing health disparities related to obesity issues faced by the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities by disseminating evidence-based and practice-based strategies, and advancing adoption and implementation of these strategies through our ECHOS and NAPNEHD programs.


Join APPEAL as we build a movement around Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL). To join the HEAL listserv, please contact Sin Goh at sgoh@appealforheatlh.org. You can also keep up to date on HEAL news by "Liking" APPEAL on Facebook.