What is the role of public health in obesity prevention?
While the public is generally aware of the increased prevalence of obesity in Americans, much of the public is unaware of the importance of obesity prevention to public health. Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases and conditions identified as public health priorities (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, etc.) and a multidisciplinary approach to obesity prevention is needed. Healthy People 2010 selected physical activity and overweight/obesity as priority areas and leading health indicators in the nation’s health objectives. Obesity prevention should demonstrate public health in action from both the personal and community level.
