Track Descriptions

 

The Research Track offers the latest information on childhood obesity prevention research. Topics to be covered include epigenetics and the lifecycle, the role of sugar and addiction pathways to childhood obesity, findings on nutrients and prenatal health, findings on the impact of interactive media on physical activity and the factors associated with the physiology of obesity, such as pollution, sleep and stress. Each session links the latest research findings with implications for policy and practice in the prevention of childhood obesity.

 

The Healthcare Track provides an update on prevention and treatment guidelines for childhood obesity and its associated co-morbidities and outlines challenges and dilemmas that come with treating severe obesity. This track examines the health disparities among racially and ethnically diverse low-income children and showcases proactive programs that are working. New obesity care guidelines and performance measures will be presented as a reference when working with providers and families in their community.

 

The Early Childhood Track focuses on the critical stage of human development in which the foundation is laid for later year behaviors. Child feeding practices, the childcare environment, the home environment and community support are addressed. The track features a variety of promising policy changes, education resources and interventions for promoting and supporting healthy eating and active play in children from infancy to five years. Sessions focus on innovative and successful strategies for working with very young children, their families and the communities and environments impacting this age group.

 

The Schools and After School Track highlights promising strategies and practices, along with the challenges and constraints facing obesity prevention efforts in schools and after school program settings. Sessions focus on successful efforts to develop nutrition and physical activity policies and programs supporting low-income families; linking schools and after school programs to local community resources; and sustaining nutrition, physical education and activity programs in an era of increasing fiscal challenges.

 

The Community Track provides useful, in-depth information for preventing childhood obesity by addressing policy and environmental changes in low-income, culturally diverse communities. Sessions address a myriad of topics, including local and regionally sourced community food systems, health equity, civic engagement, emerging trends, how to address changing demographics, the impact of community design on physical activity and healthy food, how to improve advocacy skills and how to use existing laws and zoning.

 

The Marketing Track explores the impact of food and beverage marketing on the health of children and highlights current marketing efforts that promote physical activity and healthier eating. Sessions reveal a broad range of tactics targeting children and families with messages that encourage the consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages. Participants learn to identify these tactics and ways to protect children from this type of marketing.