The purpose of the CMA Foundation’s Obesity Prevention Project is to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and their families. The Obesity Prevention Project will carry out its purpose by giving physicians access to and assistance with:

• Education and Community Outreach
• Policy Advocacy
• Provider Resources

Save the Date! Media Advocacy Training - September 13, 2008

Are you a physician, resident, medical student or health professional interested in learning tips and tools for interacting with media and working with elected officials to support obesity prevention advocacy efforts? Make plans to attend the September 13th training - see training and registration information below. Save the Date! Registration Form

NOW AVAILABLE! - Obesity Provider Toolkits

Adult Obesity Provider Toolkit Child & Adolescent Obesity Provider Toolkit Pre/Post-Bariatric Surgery Provider Toolkit

The odds seem stacked against us, our children, our families and our communities in the battle against obesity. As a nation, we are more overweight than ever before, leading to higher rates of many chronic disease, disability, and premature death. Our children are poised to be the first generation to have shorter life spans than their parents. At the same time, physical education in our schools is on the decline; the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables is insufficient in many neighborhoods, and technology has helped to create a sedentary society. In fact, physical activity is simply not a priority for the majority of U.S. residents --and it shows.

Education is a critical first step for all of us to be able to care for the health of our families and communities. The impact of poor diet and physical inactivity on the increase of overweight and obesity across the United States makes education even more important today. In order to reverse this trend, every organization that can add its voice to these efforts must do so. This need has provided the stimulus for the CMA Foundation to create a program to bring the knowledge and resources of community healthcare providers to this fight.

Through diverse partnerships with businesses, government, health plans, community organizations and others, the CMA Foundation will utilize physicians’ expertise and credibility to maximize their impact on the obesity epidemic.