Childhood Obesity

State Library Resources    Electronic Journals     Statistics    Related Agencies/Organizations

This is an introduction to some of the resources that may be helpful in your research.  We’d be happy to assist you with additional materials available at the State Library.  Please call us at 860-757-6500 or email us at isref@cslib.org.

In 2002, the Office of Legislative Research published a report on Childhood Obesity, which outlines the statistics, costs, causes, and subsequent health problems related to obesity, with particular attention to Connecticut’s children.  In 2005, the General Assembly introduced a bill “An Act Concerning School Nutrition”, Senate Bill 1309, which was vetoed by Governor Rell on June 14, 2005. Public Act 06-63, An Act Concerning Healthy Food and Beverages in Schools became effective July 1, 2006.

State Library Resources

The State Library has extensive resources available in paper, microform and/or online formats.  For a listing of those resources related to childhood obesity, search our online catalog using the following subjects : Obesity in Children Overweight Children

Full-text of the following sampling of publications is available through our online catalog :

Childhood Obesity : Factors Affecting Physical Activity, by Cynthia A. Bascetta, [2006]

Childhood Obesity Legislation, by Susan Price, Office of Legislative Research, 2005.
Also available in paper and/or microform format.  [CSL Call Number Federal Documents Y 4.ED 8/1:108-43]

Recent State Activity on Child Obesity and Nutrition, by Saul Spigel, Office of Legislative Research, 2004.

Encouraging Healthy Choices for Healthy Children, hearing before the Subcommittee on Education Reform of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of Representatives, 2004.  Also available in paper and/or microform format.  [CSL Call Number Federal Documents Y 4.ED 8/1:108-43]

The State of Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools, by Cynthia Curl Henderson. Environment & Human Health, Inc. 2004.  Also available in paper and/or microform format.    [CSL Call Number LB3475 .H26 2004]

These publications are a sampling of those available in paper and/or microform format at the State Library :

Childhood Obesity : Legislative Policy Approaches and the Evidence Base to Date, by Amy Winterfeld, c2006.  [CSL Call Number RJ399.C6 W56 2006] 

School Based Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, by Tara Straw, Forum for State Health Policy Leadership, 2003.  [CSL Call Number RC628 .S77 2003]

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Electronic Journals

Use your public or State Library card barcode to access www.iconn.org where you’ll find full text journal and newspaper articles, and an entire section devoted to Health and Wellness research.  The State Library subscribes to an extensive variety of electronic journals, which are only accessible through public terminals at the State Library.  Our Electronic Journals page details the titles and available dates. When you visit the Library, we’ll be glad to show you how to search the electronic journal collection by subject.  Pertinent titles with information on childhood obesity include : Adweek American Family Physician Environmental Health Perspectives FDA Consumer JAMA New England Journal of Medicine Nutrition Today

Statistics

The Obesity Society Fact Sheets.  See the fact sheet on "Childhood Overweight" for statistics on the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents, ages 6-19.

Childhood Obesity, a 2002 report by Saul Spigel, Office of Legislative Research, outlines the statistics, costs, causes, and subsequent health problems related to obesity, with particular attention to Connecticut’s children. 

The Obesity Challenge in Connecticut, produced by the Connecticut  Department of Public Health, presents prevalence, related health concerns, and economic impact of obesity in Connecticut.

Prevalence of Overweight Among Children and Adolescents: United States, 2003-2004, from the National Center for Health Statistics.

 

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Related Agencies/Organizations

The American Dietetic Association promotes optimal nutrition, health and well-being. They sponsor the Healthy Habits for Healthy Kids webpage.

NAASO, The Obesity Society is focused on changing public policy and perceptions about obesity.

Connecticut State Department of Education, Division of Teaching & Learning Programs and Services, Bureau of Health and Nutrition Services and Child/Family/School Partnerships, Child Nutrition Programs.

National Institutes of Health, NIH Obesity Research, presents NIH-supported research toward obesity prevention and treatment.

Connecticut Department of Public Health, Public Health Initiatives, Health Education, Management and Surveillance Section, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention Program.  Includes Connecticut’s Plan for Health Promotion, contacts, obesity fact sheets.

School Health Programs: Key Strategies to Prevent Obesity, sponsored by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion of the Center for Disease Control.

Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Yale University. The Rudd Center analyzes practices and policies related to nutrition and obesity, with the goal to improve the world’s diet and prevent obesity.

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Prepared by the Government Information and Reference Services Unit, page revised 4/2009.