Protecting the Future of our Children
January 23-26, 2007
Anaheim Marriott Hotel

Program Guide
UC Berkeley Speaker Presentations

Please join us January 23 - 26, 2007
for the California Childhood Obesity Conference
"Protecting the Future of Our Children"
at the Anaheim Marriott

On behalf of the California Department of Health Services, the California Department of Education, the U. C. Berkeley Center for Weight and Health, and The California Endowment, we are pleased to announce the 2007 California Childhood Obesity Conference. Scheduled for January 23-26, 2007, at the Marriott Hotel in Anaheim, this is the premier conference addressing California’s childhood obesity epidemic.

Obesity is unique in that it is a chronic condition that is increasing at rates previously only seen with infectious diseases.   More than ten percent of children between age two and five years are already overweight or obese. About one in three children and one in four teens in California is estimated to be overweight. Obesity is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, disability, and discrimination in health care, education, and employment, and is a public health challenge of similar magnitude to tobacco use and exposure.

Striving to address childhood obesity fully, the conference includes sessions on research and evaluation; community planning and community programs; infancy to adolescence development; pre-school and school programs; family perspectives; healthcare; and marketing.

The 2007 Conference builds upon the past three conferences, increasing public awareness of prevention policies by focusing on efforts that support healthy eating and physical activity environments that meet the needs of high-risk and low-income communities.

Some of the most prominent experts on childhood obesity have presented at previous conferences. Keynote speakers have included Professor Gerard Hastings of the University of Strathclyde in Scotland; Dr. Robert Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer for The California Endowment; Dr. Marion Nestle, the Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University; U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona; President of the American Diabetes Association, Dr. Francine Kaufman; and former USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Eric Bost. Conference workshop speakers have included physicians, registered dietitians, physical activity specialists, experts on active living, prestigious researchers, leaders from health care organizations, and policy makers, all of whom have one common goal: to reduce childhood obesity rates in California.

We look forward to your participation!

Strategic Alliance Jounalism Award

The Strategic Alliance for Healthy Food and Activity Environments,  a coalition of California's leading public health and health care, parks & recreation, transportation, and nutrition organizations, is seeking nominations for their second  Journalism Award for Excellence in Nutrition and Physical Activity to be given out during the conference.  Given the media’s critical influence on the debate around healthy eating and physical activity, the award acknowledges an individual reporter who strives to include an environmental and policy perspective in their coverage of nutrition and physical activity. The award provides a great opportunity for locals to strengthen their relationship with media. The deadline for nominations is December 15, 2006. More information including criteria and nominations form can be found on: http://www.preventioninstitute.org/sa/JAward06.html.

Who Should Attend

The California Childhood Obesity Conference is the largest gathering of professionals on the topic of pediatric overweight in the State of California. This conference sells out fast, attracting more than 1,400 participants, representing health care professionals (physicians, nutritionists, physical activity specialists, registered dietitians, nurses, health educators, psychologists, and counselors) healthcare policy makers, researchers, media, business and civic leaders, parks and recreation personnel, and early childhood and school-age decision-makers.

Conference Goals

The 2007 Conference will build on the experiences of the past three conferences in which presentations have focused on issues, strategies, and programs, as they relate to the environment, organizational practices, media advocacy and policy, and family and clinical approaches to childhood obesity. This year’s conference will:

• Increase public awareness of prevention policies and efforts that support healthy eating and physical activity environments.
• Focus on prevention strategies that meet the needs of high-risk and low-income communities.
• Identify approaches that ensure healthy eating and active play are the norm for children.
• Showcase efforts to improve access to healthy food, activity, and recreation.

By doing so, we will continue to address childhood overweight as a major public health concern that demands attention and leadership from all. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting California’s low-income families at or below the 185% Federal Poverty Level.

Sponsorship

A diversity of sponsors is important to the successful achievement of our conference goals. Your contribution demonstrates your support for childhood overweight prevention and plays an important role in the overall success of the conference.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact our Registration Unit at (916) 278-5171, Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm, or complete the Sponsor Application online.