The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity 2001

Book excerpt: Overweight and obesity have reached nationwide epidemic proportions. Both the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity and their associated health problems are important public health goals. To achieve these goals, The Surgeon General's Call To Action To Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity is committed to five overarching principles:* Promote the recognition of overweight and obesity as major public healthproblems.* Assist Americans in balancing healthful eating with regular physical activity to achieve and maintain a healthy or healthier body weight.* Identify effective and culturally appropriate interventions to prevent andtreat overweight and obesity.* Encourage environmental changes that help prevent overweight andobesity.* Develop and enhance public-private partnerships to help implement thisvision.