Resource Center for Obesity Prevention

Addressing the obesity epidemic and its associated health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer, has become a major focus of public health professionals. Research demonstrates that the prevalence of obesity has increased at an alarming rate over the past few decades, and children and adolescents are not immune to this epidemic. Because overweight children face increased risk of becoming obese adults, there has been a call to arms to combat this trend and reduce the proportion of children and adolescents who are overweight and obese.

As part of the White House’s commitment to addressing the obesity epidemic in America, the Department of Defense (DoD) formed a childhood obesity working group to develop a strategic action plan that supports the President’s goal of eradicating childhood obesity in a generation. The DoD’s working group has tasked the Clearinghouse with cataloging evidence-based obesity prevention programs and infusing empirical evidence into the military’s efforts to prevent childhood obesity.

The Resource Center for Obesity Prevention is an interactive, searchable web-based platform developed for professionals to more effectively address child obesity as well as obesity among the military families they serve. By hosting the Resource Center, the Clearinghouse is creating a cohesive, supportive virtual community for helping professionals, researchers, and military and community leaders, as well as providing ongoing opportunities for interactive learning and proactive technical assistance.

To find programs that focus on obesity, search our interactive database by using the basic keyword search or advanced search options.  Using the right-hand navigation in the box above, you will also find obesity prevention resources:  current news, videos and podcasts, and sites of interest.