Task Force on Childhood Obesity Requests Public Help

The U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education and Health and Human Services have requested public input to assist the Task Force on Childhood Obesity. President Barack Obama (D) created the task force in February 2010 to enhance coordination among private sector companies, nonprofits, government agencies, and other organizations to address the critical health issue. The task force was directed to
review objectives that include (i) ensuring access to healthy, affordable food; (ii) increasing physical activity in schools and communities; (iii) providing healthier foods in schools; and (iv) empowering parents with information and tools to make good choices for themselves and their families. With these four goals in mind, the task force is seeking recommendations on the most important actions that both the public and private sectors can take, as well as strategies capable of reaching “across geographic areas and to diverse racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic groups.” In addition, comments might identify (i) discrete and measurable benchmarks within each objective; (ii) key unanswered research questions; (iii) explanations of why particular children do not become obese; (iv) the biggest challenges to enhancing access to healthy and affordable food; and (v) steps that can be taken to improve quality physical education and expand opportunities for physical activity during the school day. Comments should be submitted by March 26, 2010. See Federal Register, March 16, 2010.