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NUTRITION AND OBESITY RESOURCES
Board on Children, Youth and Families
National Academies
National Academies
The nonpartisan board addresses policy-relevant issues involving the health and development of children, youth and families and convenes experts to analyze and evaluate research.
"Childhood Obesity," Spring 2006
The Future of Children
This issue of the twice-yearly journal focuses on U.S. children's high and rising rates of overweight and obesity. It presents evidence on the multiple causes, consequences and methods of dealing with the problem. The journal is published by the Brookings Institution and Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
The Future of Children
This issue of the twice-yearly journal focuses on U.S. children's high and rising rates of overweight and obesity. It presents evidence on the multiple causes, consequences and methods of dealing with the problem. The journal is published by the Brookings Institution and Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The CDC covers the spectrum of child and youth disease prevention and health issues. It provides information on birth defects; vaccination; nutrition, overweight and obesity; reproductive and sexual health; and disease outbreaks or threats. Its website offers state fact sheets on healthy youth.
Contact: press office, 404.639.3286; media@cdc.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The CDC covers the spectrum of child and youth disease prevention and health issues. It provides information on birth defects; vaccination; nutrition, overweight and obesity; reproductive and sexual health; and disease outbreaks or threats. Its website offers state fact sheets on healthy youth.
Contact: press office, 404.639.3286; media@cdc.gov
Indian Health Service
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
IHS’ mission is to raise the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska natives to the highest level. IHS has fact sheets on Indian populations, health disparities, diabetes, collaboration with states, and more. Contact: Constance James, acting public affairs director, 301.443.1865; constance.james@ihs.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
IHS’ mission is to raise the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska natives to the highest level. IHS has fact sheets on Indian populations, health disparities, diabetes, collaboration with states, and more. Contact: Constance James, acting public affairs director, 301.443.1865; constance.james@ihs.gov
Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics
A collaboration of federal agencies and departments, the forum fosters coordination in collecting and reporting federal statistics on education, family and social environment, economic circumstances, health and health care, behavior, physical environment and safety. It releases the "America's Children" report each July.
A collaboration of federal agencies and departments, the forum fosters coordination in collecting and reporting federal statistics on education, family and social environment, economic circumstances, health and health care, behavior, physical environment and safety. It releases the "America's Children" report each July.
Obesity Facts
Campaign to End Obesity
The Campaign to End Obesity (CEO) was established to bring together organizations and individuals from across an array of interests to collaborate in the fight to reverse America's costly obesity epidemic. This fact sheet provides statistics on obesity in America.
Campaign to End Obesity
The Campaign to End Obesity (CEO) was established to bring together organizations and individuals from across an array of interests to collaborate in the fight to reverse America's costly obesity epidemic. This fact sheet provides statistics on obesity in America.
Faststats
National Center for Health Statistics, CDC
The center provides state and territorial data and demographics on diverse health topics.
National Center for Health Statistics, CDC
The center provides state and territorial data and demographics on diverse health topics.
The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System monitors priority health-risk behaviors and the prevalence of obesity and asthma among youth and young adults. The YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state, territorial, tribal, and local surveys conducted by state, territorial, and local education and health agencies and tribal governments.
National Children's Study
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
The study examines the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. Contact: Robert Bock, press officer, 301.496.5133; bockr@mail.nih.gov
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
The study examines the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. Contact: Robert Bock, press officer, 301.496.5133; bockr@mail.nih.gov
Sandra J. Bishop-Josef, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy
Yale Univeristy
310 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
203.432.9935; sandra.bishop@yale.edu
The center brings research-based knowledge of child development to the federal and state policy arenas in an effort to improve social policy affecting the lives of children and families in the United States.
Assistant Director
Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy
Yale Univeristy
310 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
203.432.9935; sandra.bishop@yale.edu
The center brings research-based knowledge of child development to the federal and state policy arenas in an effort to improve social policy affecting the lives of children and families in the United States.
Robert W. Blum, M.D.
William H. Gates Sr. Professor of Pediatrics
Chair, Department of Population and Family Health Sciences
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe St., Suite E4527
Baltimore, MD 21205
410.955.3384; rblum@jhsph.edu
Dr. Blum’s research interests include adolescent sexuality, chronic illness and international adolescent health care issues. He was co-investigator for the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health, the largest survey of American youth ever undertaken. Recently, he published a study in the American Journal of Public Health debunking the myths that race, income, and family structure can be major predictors of youth health risk behaviors.
Kelly D. Brownell, Ph.D.
Director
Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity
Yale University
P.O Box 208369
New Haven, CT 06520
203.432.7790; kelly.brownell@yale.edu
Brownell's research currently includes a number of issues related to eating disorders, obesity, and more generally, health psychology. Projects are underway on the effects of stress and depression on eating, the effects of the "toxic environment" that encourages overeating and physical inactivity, bias, prejudice, discrimination and obesity, cognitive predispositions to eating disorders, interpersonal and cognitive-behavioral treatments for eating disorders, disordered eating and body image problems in athletes, exercise and body weight regulation, and public policy as a means of changing eating and activity in the population.
Cynthia Bulik, Ph.D.
William R. and Jeanne H. Jordan Distinguished Professor of Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders Program
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
10505 Neurosciences Hospital
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
919.843.1689; cynthia_bulik@med.unc.edu
Bulik is the director of the UNC Eating Disorders Program, a comprehensive treatment program for individuals with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and related eating disorders. Her current research focuses on genetic and environmental factors that influence risk to eating disorders.
Joan Carter, R.D., M.B.A.
Instructor
Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics
Baylor College of Medicine
1100 Bates St.
Houston, TX 77030
713.798.6782; joanc@bcm.tmc.edu
Joan Carter is a dietitian who teaches in the department of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, where she also is director of communications for the Children’s Nutrition Research Center. She edits the center’s “Nutrition and Your Child” newsletter and is a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. Previously she was the general manager and executive chef at Santa Clara University’s Adobe Lodge, and was a food service director for Marriott Management Services in San Bruno, Calif. Carter earned a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from the University of Illinois, a master’s degree in business administration from Santa Clara University, and a Cordon Bleu certificate from L’Ecole de Cuisine Francaise in England.
Angela Diaz M.D.
Director
Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center
312/320 East 94th St., Second Floor
New York, NY 10128
212.423.2900; angela.diaz@mountsinai.org
Diaz is the director of Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center. She is also director of Health Services for the Children’s Aid Society in New York City and is active in adolescent health advocacy and policy in the United States. Dr. Diaz's practice and policy work is focused on providing comprehensive mental and primary health services to trauma-affected adolescents. She has published numerous articles on topics such as child and adolescent sexual abuse, adolescents' access to health care and health services for immigrants.
Helen DuPlessis M.D.
Assoc.Professor, Senior Advisor
Center for Healthier Children Families and Communities (CHCFC)
University of California, Los Angeles
10990 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 900
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310.312.9213; hduplessis@verizon.net
Dr. DuPlessis, a pediatrician, works for the Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities at the University of California, Los Angeles. She serves as an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine and as an adjunct assistant professor at the School of Public Health, developing health policy for women and children. Before joining UCLA in 2002, DuPlessis was the chief medical officer of L.A. Care Health Plan, which serves the county’s Medicaid and other low-income beneficiaries. Earlier, she directed student medical services for the Los Angeles Unified School District
Mark Goldstein M.D.
Chief
Adolescent Medicine, Pediatrics
Massachusetts General Hospital
Adolescent Div, Yawkey 6C
55 Fruit St
Boston, MA 02114
617.643.1201; mgoldstein@partners.org
Dr. Goldstein’s areas of interest include eating disorders, sexually transmitted disease, substance abuse, health insurance, gynecology and male health. Dr. Goldstein is Editor of The MassGeneral Hospital for Children Adolescent Medicine Handbook. He is coauthor of Mental Health Disorders in Adolescents: A Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Professionals. He is author of Boys into Men: Staying Healthy Through the Teen Years. See PubMed for research and other academic publications.
Neal Halfon M.D.
Director
Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities
UCLA School of Public Health
10990 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 900
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310.794.0967; nhalfon@ucla.edu
Neal Halfon, M.D., MPH, is director of the Center for Healthier Children, Families & Communities at UCLA, UCLA’s Child and Family Health Program at the School of Public Health, and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s National Center for Infancy and Early Childhood Health Policy Research. In addition, Dr. Halfon is a professor of pediatrics, community health sciences, and policy studies at UCLA’s Schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Public Policy & Social Research. He led the team that developed and implemented the “2000 National Survey of Early Childhood Health,” findings of which will be published as a supplement to the journal Pediatrics this fall. Dr. Halfon serves as co-chair of the Health Services Working Group for the planned National Children’s Study, an effort being led by the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and on the Board on Children, Youth and Families of the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of California, Davis; his master’s of public health degree from the University of California, Berkeley; and completed his pediatric residency at the University of California, San Diego and the University of California, San Francisco.
Chief
Adolescent Medicine, Pediatrics
Massachusetts General Hospital
Adolescent Div, Yawkey 6C
55 Fruit St
Boston, MA 02114
617.643.1201; mgoldstein@partners.org
Dr. Goldstein’s areas of interest include eating disorders, sexually transmitted disease, substance abuse, health insurance, gynecology and male health. Dr. Goldstein is Editor of The MassGeneral Hospital for Children Adolescent Medicine Handbook. He is coauthor of Mental Health Disorders in Adolescents: A Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Professionals. He is author of Boys into Men: Staying Healthy Through the Teen Years. See PubMed for research and other academic publications.
Neal Halfon M.D.
Director
Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities
UCLA School of Public Health
10990 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 900
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310.794.0967; nhalfon@ucla.edu
Neal Halfon, M.D., MPH, is director of the Center for Healthier Children, Families & Communities at UCLA, UCLA’s Child and Family Health Program at the School of Public Health, and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s National Center for Infancy and Early Childhood Health Policy Research. In addition, Dr. Halfon is a professor of pediatrics, community health sciences, and policy studies at UCLA’s Schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Public Policy & Social Research. He led the team that developed and implemented the “2000 National Survey of Early Childhood Health,” findings of which will be published as a supplement to the journal Pediatrics this fall. Dr. Halfon serves as co-chair of the Health Services Working Group for the planned National Children’s Study, an effort being led by the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and on the Board on Children, Youth and Families of the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of California, Davis; his master’s of public health degree from the University of California, Berkeley; and completed his pediatric residency at the University of California, San Diego and the University of California, San Francisco.
David Herzog M.D.
Director, Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders
Massachusetts General Hospital
2 Longfellow Place
Suite200
Boston, MA 02114
617.726.8470; dherzog@partners.org
Dr. Herzog serves as Director of the Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders at the Massachusetts General Hospital. His research focus is on eating disorders, including medical complications, course and outcome, co-morbidity and treatment. He is also a Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.
Director, Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders
Massachusetts General Hospital
2 Longfellow Place
Suite200
Boston, MA 02114
617.726.8470; dherzog@partners.org
Dr. Herzog serves as Director of the Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders at the Massachusetts General Hospital. His research focus is on eating disorders, including medical complications, course and outcome, co-morbidity and treatment. He is also a Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.
Francine Kaufman M.D.
Director
Comprehensive Childhood Diabetes Center
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Director
Comprehensive Childhood Diabetes Center
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
4650 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.669.4606; fkaufman@chla.usc.edu
Dr. Kaufman is a pediatric endocrinologist and author of "Diabesity: The Obesity-Diabetes Epidemic That Threatens America - and What We Must Do to Stop It" (Bantam, 2005). A professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, her research focuses on many aspects of diabetes, including prevention, treatment and complications. She is chair of the NIH-funded STOPP-T2 trials, which investigate strategies to prevent and treat (the TODAY trial) type 2 diabetes in children and youth. She was also a principle investigator in the Diabetes Prevention Trial - type 1 and is now an investigator in TrialNet-the NIH study to try to prevent type 1 diabetes and preserve beta cell function.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.669.4606; fkaufman@chla.usc.edu
Dr. Kaufman is a pediatric endocrinologist and author of "Diabesity: The Obesity-Diabetes Epidemic That Threatens America - and What We Must Do to Stop It" (Bantam, 2005). A professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, her research focuses on many aspects of diabetes, including prevention, treatment and complications. She is chair of the NIH-funded STOPP-T2 trials, which investigate strategies to prevent and treat (the TODAY trial) type 2 diabetes in children and youth. She was also a principle investigator in the Diabetes Prevention Trial - type 1 and is now an investigator in TrialNet-the NIH study to try to prevent type 1 diabetes and preserve beta cell function.
Kathi Kemper M.D.
Professor
General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
336.716.1292; kkemper@wfubmc.edu
Dr. Kemper is also a practitioner at the university’s Brenner Children’s Hospital. Dr. Kemper’s focus is on complementary and alternative medicinal practice and research, such as that regarding culture, spirituality, herbs and dietary supplements. Among Kemper’s findings is the Center for Holistic Pediatric Education and Research at Boston's Children's Hospital, the Herb and Dietary Supplement Task Force at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and the Section for Holistic and Integrative Medicine within the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her book, The Holistic Pediatrician, serves as a key reference for families and pediatric educators and clinicians.
Professor
General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
336.716.1292; kkemper@wfubmc.edu
Dr. Kemper is also a practitioner at the university’s Brenner Children’s Hospital. Dr. Kemper’s focus is on complementary and alternative medicinal practice and research, such as that regarding culture, spirituality, herbs and dietary supplements. Among Kemper’s findings is the Center for Holistic Pediatric Education and Research at Boston's Children's Hospital, the Herb and Dietary Supplement Task Force at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and the Section for Holistic and Integrative Medicine within the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her book, The Holistic Pediatrician, serves as a key reference for families and pediatric educators and clinicians.
Jonathan Klein M.D.
Associate Professor
Pediatrics
University of Rochester Medical Center
Adolescent Medicine
601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 690
Rochester, NY 14642
585.275.7760; jonathan_klein@urmc.rochester.edu
Dr. Klein's research is on the organization and effectiveness of adolescent health services and on health promotion and disease prevention for children and adolescents. Klein’s ongoing studies address issues regarding adolescents such as access to health care, smoking cessation counseling, and obesity prevention.
Associate Professor
Pediatrics
University of Rochester Medical Center
Adolescent Medicine
601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 690
Rochester, NY 14642
585.275.7760; jonathan_klein@urmc.rochester.edu
Dr. Klein's research is on the organization and effectiveness of adolescent health services and on health promotion and disease prevention for children and adolescents. Klein’s ongoing studies address issues regarding adolescents such as access to health care, smoking cessation counseling, and obesity prevention.
Susan Kogut
Lecturer
Department of Kinesiology
University of Maryland
2356 Health & Human Performance Building
College Park, MD 20742
301.405.2511; spkpe4life@msn.com
Lecturer
Department of Kinesiology
University of Maryland
2356 Health & Human Performance Building
College Park, MD 20742
301.405.2511; spkpe4life@msn.com
Susan Kogut teaches health and physical education at the University of Maryland, College Park. Previously she taught physical education and health to children in kindergarten through 12th grade in Maryland public schools for 30 years. In 1985, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education named her teacher of the year. Kogut has created several educational tools designed to get parents more involved in their children’s physical education. Kogut received her bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Towson State University in Maryland and her master’s degree in the same major from West Virginia University.
Jodie Levin-Epstein
Deputy Director
Center for Law & Social Policy
1200 18th St NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
202.328.5174 or 202.328.5; jodie@clasp.org
The Center for Law and Social Policy is a public interest law firm seeking to improve economic conditions of low-income families with children. Levin-Epstein focuses on welfare initiatives and provides technical assistance to policy makers and agency staff. The Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity initiative, launched in October 2007, aims to focus attention on the poor during the 2008 presidential campaign. It features a growing cache of data, analyses and reports. Its advisory council includes: Rebecca Blank, director of the University of Michigan’s National Poverty Center; Geoffrey Canada of the Harlem Children’s Zone; Ron Haskins, co-director of the Brookings Institution’s Center on Children and Families; and William S. Cohen, former secretary of defense. Initial support comes from the Annie E. Casey and Eos foundations.
Deputy Director
Center for Law & Social Policy
1200 18th St NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
202.328.5174 or 202.328.5; jodie@clasp.org
The Center for Law and Social Policy is a public interest law firm seeking to improve economic conditions of low-income families with children. Levin-Epstein focuses on welfare initiatives and provides technical assistance to policy makers and agency staff. The Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity initiative, launched in October 2007, aims to focus attention on the poor during the 2008 presidential campaign. It features a growing cache of data, analyses and reports. Its advisory council includes: Rebecca Blank, director of the University of Michigan’s National Poverty Center; Geoffrey Canada of the Harlem Children’s Zone; Ron Haskins, co-director of the Brookings Institution’s Center on Children and Families; and William S. Cohen, former secretary of defense. Initial support comes from the Annie E. Casey and Eos foundations.
Russell Pate Ph.D.
Director
Director
Children's Physical Activity Research Group
School of Public Health
University of South Carolina
102 Health Sciences Building
Columbia, SC 29208
803.777.2456; rpate@mailbox.sc.edu
Pate is an exercise physiologist with interests in physical activity and physical fitness in children and the health implications of physical activity. He has published more than 150 scholarly papers and has authored or edited five books. Pate has served in several leadership positions with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and in 1993-94 served as that organization’s president. He is a past-president of the National Coalition on Promoting Physical Activity.
School of Public Health
University of South Carolina
102 Health Sciences Building
Columbia, SC 29208
803.777.2456; rpate@mailbox.sc.edu
Pate is an exercise physiologist with interests in physical activity and physical fitness in children and the health implications of physical activity. He has published more than 150 scholarly papers and has authored or edited five books. Pate has served in several leadership positions with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and in 1993-94 served as that organization’s president. He is a past-president of the National Coalition on Promoting Physical Activity.
Greg Payne
Chair and Professor
Dept. of Kinesiology
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA 95192
408.924.2904; vgpayne@casa.sjsu.edu
Payne is chair and professor of the Department of Kinesiology at San Jose State University in California. He is an expert in motor development and is a member of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Task Force on Obesity, Type II Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. He is an elected fellow of the Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, and has published over 100 papers and four books. His awards include the Distinguished Service Award from the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; the Southwest District AAHPERD (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) Scholar Award, and the AAHPERD Honor Award. He is the former president of the National Association for Sports and Physical Education and the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Chair and Professor
Dept. of Kinesiology
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA 95192
408.924.2904; vgpayne@casa.sjsu.edu
Payne is chair and professor of the Department of Kinesiology at San Jose State University in California. He is an expert in motor development and is a member of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Task Force on Obesity, Type II Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. He is an elected fellow of the Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, and has published over 100 papers and four books. His awards include the Distinguished Service Award from the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; the Southwest District AAHPERD (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) Scholar Award, and the AAHPERD Honor Award. He is the former president of the National Association for Sports and Physical Education and the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Joanne Pfleiderer
Director of Communications
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
PO Box 2393
600 Alexander Park
Princeton, NJ 08543
609.275.2372; jpfleiderer@mathematica-mpr.com
Mathematica conducts public policy research and surveys on health care, education, welfare, employment, nutrition, child development, and other policy issues. The Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) is an affiliate research organization that designs and conducts studies focused on the U.S. health care system.
Director of Communications
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
PO Box 2393
600 Alexander Park
Princeton, NJ 08543
609.275.2372; jpfleiderer@mathematica-mpr.com
Mathematica conducts public policy research and surveys on health care, education, welfare, employment, nutrition, child development, and other policy issues. The Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) is an affiliate research organization that designs and conducts studies focused on the U.S. health care system.
Michael Rich M.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine
Children's Hospital Boston
300 Longwood Ave.
1 Autumn-5
Boston, MA 02115
617.355.5420; michael.rich@childrens.harvard.edu
Dr. Rich focuses on media as a force that affects child development, health, and behavior. In 2002, he founded the Center on Media and Child Health (CMCH), which conducts research, clinical interventions and education on the effects of media on the physical, mental and social health of children and adolescents. The Society for Adolescent Medicine honored Dr. Rich in with their New Investigator Award in 1998 for the creation of Video Intervention/Prevention Assessment, a research method where child and adolescent patients make video illness narratives to show and tell their clinicians about their experience of illness. To date, VIA has been used with children and adolescents to study chronic health conditions ranging from asthma and obesity to spina bifida and HIV.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine
Children's Hospital Boston
300 Longwood Ave.
1 Autumn-5
Boston, MA 02115
617.355.5420; michael.rich@childrens.harvard.edu
Dr. Rich focuses on media as a force that affects child development, health, and behavior. In 2002, he founded the Center on Media and Child Health (CMCH), which conducts research, clinical interventions and education on the effects of media on the physical, mental and social health of children and adolescents. The Society for Adolescent Medicine honored Dr. Rich in with their New Investigator Award in 1998 for the creation of Video Intervention/Prevention Assessment, a research method where child and adolescent patients make video illness narratives to show and tell their clinicians about their experience of illness. To date, VIA has been used with children and adolescents to study chronic health conditions ranging from asthma and obesity to spina bifida and HIV.
Thomas Robinson M.D.
Director of General Pediatrics
Stanford Prevention Research Center
Stanford University School of Medicine
Hoover Pavillion, N229
Director of General Pediatrics
Stanford Prevention Research Center
Stanford University School of Medicine
Hoover Pavillion, N229
Stanford, CA 94305
650.723.5331; tom.robinson@stanford.edu
Dr. Robinson's research interests are child and adolescent obesity prevention and treatment, cardiovascular disease and cancer risk factor prevention, weight control, promotion of physical activity, nutrition, smoking prevention, effects of television viewing and video games on child health and behavior, health behavior change, school-based interventions and general pediatrics.
650.723.5331; tom.robinson@stanford.edu
Dr. Robinson's research interests are child and adolescent obesity prevention and treatment, cardiovascular disease and cancer risk factor prevention, weight control, promotion of physical activity, nutrition, smoking prevention, effects of television viewing and video games on child health and behavior, health behavior change, school-based interventions and general pediatrics.
David Satcher M.D.
Director
National Center for Primary Care
Morehouse School of Medicine
720 Westview Drive S.W., NCPC Building, Room 301
Atlanta, GA 30310
404.752.8654; dsatcher@msm.edu
David Satcher, M.D., is director of the new National Center for Primary Care at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. Previously he was the U.S. surgeon general and assistant secretary for health. In that position, Satcher led the department’s effort to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health. He also released surgeon general’s reports on tobacco and health; mental health – including children’s mental health; and overweight and obesity. From 1993 to 1998, Satcher was director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Prior to those jobs, he was president of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. He was also professor and chairman of the department of Community Medicine and Family Practice at Morehouse and a faculty member of the University of California – Los Angeles School of Medicine and Public Health. Satcher graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Morehouse in 1963. He received his medical and doctorate degrees from Case Western Reserve University in 1970. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Preventive Medicine, and the American College of Physicians.
Director
National Center for Primary Care
Morehouse School of Medicine
720 Westview Drive S.W., NCPC Building, Room 301
Atlanta, GA 30310
404.752.8654; dsatcher@msm.edu
David Satcher, M.D., is director of the new National Center for Primary Care at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. Previously he was the U.S. surgeon general and assistant secretary for health. In that position, Satcher led the department’s effort to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health. He also released surgeon general’s reports on tobacco and health; mental health – including children’s mental health; and overweight and obesity. From 1993 to 1998, Satcher was director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Prior to those jobs, he was president of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. He was also professor and chairman of the department of Community Medicine and Family Practice at Morehouse and a faculty member of the University of California – Los Angeles School of Medicine and Public Health. Satcher graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Morehouse in 1963. He received his medical and doctorate degrees from Case Western Reserve University in 1970. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Preventive Medicine, and the American College of Physicians.
Kristine Siefert
Associate Director and Professor of Social Work
Center for Poverty, Risk and Mental Health
University of Michigan
1080 S. University, 2846 SSWB
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734.763.6201; ksiefert@umich.edu
Siefert's research investigates social and environmental risk factors for poor health and mental health among low-income women and children in diverse racial and ethnic populations. Recent studies include the impact of household food insufficiency on the physical and mental health of low income women and social and environmental determinants of major depression in low-income women.
Associate Director and Professor of Social Work
Center for Poverty, Risk and Mental Health
University of Michigan
1080 S. University, 2846 SSWB
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734.763.6201; ksiefert@umich.edu
Siefert's research investigates social and environmental risk factors for poor health and mental health among low-income women and children in diverse racial and ethnic populations. Recent studies include the impact of household food insufficiency on the physical and mental health of low income women and social and environmental determinants of major depression in low-income women.
Susan Solomon Ph.D.
Author
47 Hardy Drive
Princeton, NJ 08540
609.937.6939; ssolomon@curatorialresources.com
Solomon is an expert in public playgrounds. She is the author of "American Playgrounds: Revitalizing Community Space" (University Press of New England, 1995), which examines problems with contemporary playgrounds, suggests improvements and addresses undervalued public space. She also explores American attitudes on safety and how that impacts play and places for public assembly. Trained as an art historian with a concentration on 20th-century architecture, she heads her own research firm, Curatorial Resources and Research, in Princeton, N.J.
Author
47 Hardy Drive
Princeton, NJ 08540
609.937.6939; ssolomon@curatorialresources.com
Solomon is an expert in public playgrounds. She is the author of "American Playgrounds: Revitalizing Community Space" (University Press of New England, 1995), which examines problems with contemporary playgrounds, suggests improvements and addresses undervalued public space. She also explores American attitudes on safety and how that impacts play and places for public assembly. Trained as an art historian with a concentration on 20th-century architecture, she heads her own research firm, Curatorial Resources and Research, in Princeton, N.J.
Sunita Vohra M.D.
Director
Complementary and Alternative Research and Education Program (CARE)
Stollery Children’s Hospital, University of Alberta
4051 Research Transition Facility
8308-114 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1
780.342.8592; svohra@ualberta.ca
Vohra is a pediatrician and clinician scientist, as well as an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Alberta . She is also the founding director of the Canadian Pediatric CAM Network (PedCAM) and program director for Canada’s first fellowship program in pediatric integrative medicine. Her expertise in complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, has been recognized internationally with invitations to sit on various committees and editorial boards. She has published widely on the efficacy of the use of natural health product in children.
Director
Complementary and Alternative Research and Education Program (CARE)
Stollery Children’s Hospital, University of Alberta
4051 Research Transition Facility
8308-114 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1
780.342.8592; svohra@ualberta.ca
Vohra is a pediatrician and clinician scientist, as well as an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Alberta . She is also the founding director of the Canadian Pediatric CAM Network (PedCAM) and program director for Canada’s first fellowship program in pediatric integrative medicine. Her expertise in complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, has been recognized internationally with invitations to sit on various committees and editorial boards. She has published widely on the efficacy of the use of natural health product in children.
Michael Weitzman M.D.
Professor
Bellevue Hospital
New York University Langone Medical Center
462 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212.562.4141
Dr. Weitzman is an authority on pediatric research and practice. He has been a practitioner, educator and researcher for more than 20 years, having served as Maternal and Child Health Director of the City of Boston and a professor and director of pediatrics at two universities; he has also trained more than three dozen active pediatric researchers. Michael Weitzman is currently a professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine where he previously served as the Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics.
Professor
Bellevue Hospital
New York University Langone Medical Center
462 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212.562.4141
Dr. Weitzman is an authority on pediatric research and practice. He has been a practitioner, educator and researcher for more than 20 years, having served as Maternal and Child Health Director of the City of Boston and a professor and director of pediatrics at two universities; he has also trained more than three dozen active pediatric researchers. Michael Weitzman is currently a professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine where he previously served as the Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics.
Charlene Burgeson
Executive Director
National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)
Executive Director
National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)
Address:
1900 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191
Phone:
703.476.3410
E-mail:
cburgeson@aahperd.org
Web:
http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/template.cfm?template...
Charlene R. Burgeson is executive director of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), a nonprofit membership organization of over 18,000 professionals in physical activity and fitness. NASPE is dedicated to strengthening basic knowledge about sport and physical education among professionals and the general public and putting that knowledge into action in U.S. schools and communities. From 1997-2003, Burgeson worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta as a health scientist in the Division of Adolescent and School Health and a public health advisor in the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity. In 2000 she co-authored a report from the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Education to the President of the United States titled “Promoting Better Health for Young People through Physical Activity and Sport.” She was also the lead author for the physical education chapter of the 2000 School Health Policies and Programs Survey published by CDC. In 2001, Burgeson was honored by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance with the Mabel Lee Award for achieving national recognition as a professional leader before reaching age 36. A former elementary physical education teacher in the Fairfax County, Va., public schools, she also coached local youth sports. Burgeson received her master’s degree in physical education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.
Halle Czechowski
Communications Vice President
Voices for America’s Children
Address:
1000 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
Phone:
202.289.0777, Ext. 8
E-mail:
czechowski@voices.org
Web:
www.voicesforamericaschildren.org...
The nonpartisan national organization advocates for the well-being of children at the federal, state and local levels of government. It is an advocacy network with 60 members in 46 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.
Eden Fisher Durbin
Director
Public Policy
YMCA of the USA
Address:
1701 K St., N.W., Suite 903
Washington, DC 20006
Phone:
202.835.9043
E-mail:
eden.durbin@ymca.net
Durbin is director of the public policy department of the YMCA of the USA. The department educates elected officials, the administration and key policy-makers on the five national YMCA advocacy issues: child care; youth service; youth health and fitness; substance abuse and juvenile justice; crime and gangs. The public policy department also consults with YMCAs and YMCA state alliances on state and local advocacy issues and tax issues. Durbin has worked in Washington as a child and family advocate for nearly 12 years. Prior to working with the YMCA of the USA, Durbin worked with the Child Welfare League of America. Durbin received her bachelor's degree from Kenyon College and her master’s in public administration/public policy from George Washington University.
Amy Garcia
Executive Director
National Association of School Nurses
Address:
8484 Georgia Avenue
Suite 420
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone:
240.821.1130
E-mail:
nasn@nasn.org
The association works to improve the health and educational success of children by advocating for school health services by professional registered school nurses. Garcia can speak to school nurse shortages and other topics.
Geraldine Henchy
Director, Early Childhood Nutrition
Food Research and Action Center
Address:
1875 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 540
Washington, DC 20009
Phone:
202.986.2200
E-mail:
ghenchy@frac.org
Web:
www.frac.org...
The national nonprofit organization works to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and poor nutrition in the United States. FRAC collaborates with national, state and local nonprofits, public agencies and corporations to address hunger and poverty. It coordinates the Campaign to End Childhood Hunger.
Sue Hofer
Media Relations
America's Second Harvest
Address:
35 E. Wacker Drive, Floor 20
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone:
312.263.2303, Ext. 127
E-mail:
shofer@secondharvest.org
Web:
http://www.secondharvest.org/default.asp...
America's Second Harvest supports a network of more than 200 regional member food banks and food-rescue programs throughout the United States. In 2004, the network provided food assistance to more than 23 million low-income hungry people, including more than 9 million children.
Debbie Linchesky
Media Relations Manager
Public Affairs
American Academy of Pediatrics
Address:
141 Northwest Point Blvd.
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone:
847.434.4000
E-mail:
dlinchesky@aap.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to attaining optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Along with its monthly scientific and continuing education journals, Pediatrics (www.pediatrics.org) and Pediatrics in Review, the academy publishes patient education guides. Its Web site provides topical information on childhood health, on issues ranging from breast feeding to autism to obesity to disaster preparedness. It also posts policy statements, practice guidelines and other child health resources.
Wanda Miller
Executive Director
National Association of School Nurses/Eastern Office
Address:
Box 1300
Scarborough, ME 04070
Phone:
207.883.2117
E-mail:
wmiller@nasn.org
The association works to advance the delivery of professional school health services to promote optimal health and learning in students.
Alicia Moag-Stahlberg M.S.
Executive Director
Action for Healthy Kids
Address:
4711 Golf Road, Suite 806
Skokie, IL 60076
Phone:
847.329.1803
E-mail:
alicia@actionforhealthykids.org
Web:
http://www.actionforhealthykids.org...
Moag-Stahlberg is a registered dietician and an adjunct clinical instructor at Northwestern University Medical School’s Department of Preventive Medicine. She also served as director for the U.S. National Dietary Data Center/U.S. Country Nutritionist for INTERMAP, a study on diet, nutrition and blood pressure.
Lynn Parker
Director, Child Nutrition Programs and Nutritional
Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
Address:
1875 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Suite 540
Washington, DC 20009
Phone:
202.986.2200 (main)
E-mail:
lparker@frac.org
The national nonprofit organization works to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and poor nutrition in the United States. FRAC collaborates with national, state and local nonprofits, public agencies and corporations to address hunger and poverty. It coordinates the Campaign to End Childhood Hunger.
Erik Peterson
Media Contact
School Nutrition Association
Address:
700 South Washington St.
Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone:
703.739.3900, Ext 124
E-mail:
epeterson@schoolnutrition.org
The association represents more than 55,000 members who provide in-school meals to students across the country. On a typical day during last school year, 28 million children participated in school lunch programs, and 8.7 million children participated in the school breakfast program.
Alvaro Simmons
Chief operating officer
Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care
Address:
2333 Ontario Road, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
Phone:
202.483.8196
E-mail:
ASimmons@maryscenter.org
Alvaro Simmons has served as Mary's Center's chief operating officer since early 2006. The center, established in 1988, serves families and individuals in metro Washington, D.C., who have limited or no access to health-related services. Alvaro has 18 years experience in the health care field, in addition to nearly 20 years as an educator in New York public schools and colleges. In his professional roles at various medical centers and hospitals, Alvaro has led multiple units working toward the best health care of patients in obstetrics, drug use treatment, mental health, and adolescent health units. For the past six years, Alvaro has worked in federally qualified health centers while leading the organizations to comply with FQHC regulations.
Peter Sybinsky Ph.D.
CEO
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
Address:
1220 19th Street, N.W., Suite 801
Washington, DC 20036
Phone:
202.775.0436
E-mail:
psybinsky@amchp.org
Web:
http://www.amchp.org/index.htm...
AMCHP represents state public health leaders and others working to improve the health and well-being of women, children, youth and families, including those with special health care needs. Collectively, its members manage public health programs that serve more than 27 million women, children and youth.
Paul Taylor
Acting Director
Pew Hispanic Center
Address:
1615 L St. NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036-5610
Phone:
202.419.3600
E-mail:
info@pewhispanic.org
The nonpartisan research organization aims to improve understanding of the U.S. Hispanic population and to chronicle its growing impact on the nation. Researchers have expertise in demographics, immigration and more. Based in Washington, D.C., it’s supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Carl Tubbesing
Deputy Director, D.C. headquarters
National Conference of State Legislatures
Phone:
202.624.5400
E-mail:
carl.tubbesing@ncsl.org
Web:
www.ncsl.org...
The bipartisan organization serves legislators and staffs. Its experts – on subjects from child well-being and social services to family economic success to immigration – can identify trends, and its Web site suggests story ideas.
Peggy Visio
President and Chief Consultant
Consultants in Child Nutrition and Wellness
Address:
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229
Phone:
210.844.7491
E-mail:
peggy.visio@childnutritionwellness.com
Web:
www.childnutritionwellness.com...
Peggy M. Visio, M.S., R.D., L.D., is president and chief consultant of Consultants in Child Nutrition and Wellness, LLC, and an adjunct faculty member at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She is a registered dietitian with more than 20 years of experience in nutrition research. Visio is currently working with overweight and obese children living in medically underserved areas along the U.S.-Mexico border. Her interest in obesity research has been influenced by her own lifelong struggle with obesity. Visio received a master’s degree in human nutrition from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Ellen Vollinger
Legal Director
Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
Address:
1875 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Suite 540
Washington, DC 20009
Phone:
202.986.2200 Ext. 3016
E-mail:
evollinger@frac.org
FRAC works to improve hunger policies and conducts research to document the extent of hunger and its impact on low-income families with children. In addition to hunger trend reports, its Web site includes key state contacts for after-school and nutrition programs. http://www.frac.org/html/building_blocks/bblox_ind
ex.html
Robert Bock
Press Officer
Department of Health and Human Services
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Press Officer
Department of Health and Human Services
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Address:
Bldg 31, Room 2A32, MSC 2425
31 Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-2425
Phone:
301.496.5133
E-mail:
bockr@mail.nih.gov
Web:
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/...
NICHD, part of the National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports research on children, adults, families and specific populations. Its research touches all aspects of child health, from reproductive health to growth and development; from preventing and treating birth defects, mental retardation and developmental disabilities to improving health and rehabilitation over a lifetime. It leads the National Children’s Study, which is following 100,000 children from before birth to age 21 to examine the interaction of genes and environments.
Bill Crews
Public affairs specialist
Department of Health and Human Services
National Center for Health Statistics
Address:
3311 Toledo Road
Hyattsville, MD 20782
Phone:
301.458.4800
E-mail:
wgc1@cdc.gov
Web:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/...
Part of the Centers for Disease Control, NCHS collects data on the number of marriages and divorces in a given year, including first marriages and remarriages, brides’ and grooms’ ages, divorces and whether children are involved.
William Dietz Ph.D.
Director, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Address:
4770 Buford Highway N.E., MSK-24
Atlanta, GA 30341
Phone:
770.488.6042
E-mail:
wcd4@cdc.gov
Web:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/index.htm...
Dietz specializes in childhood obesity. A nutritionist, he is the author of over 150 publications in the scientific literature, and the editor of three books, including "Policy Tools for the Childhood Obesity Epidemic" (2002) and "The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child’s Nutrition," (1998). He is an honorary member of the American Dietetic Association and received the Holroyd-Sherry award for his outstanding contributions to the field of children, adolescents and the media.
Katherin Galatas
Communications Officer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Address:
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone:
404.639.3286
E-mail:
katherine.galatas@cdc.hhs.gov
Web:
www.cdc.gov...
The CDC covers the spectrum of child and youth disease prevention and health issues. It provides information on birth defects; vaccination; nutrition, overweight and obesity; reproductive and sexual health; and disease outbreaks or threats. Its Web site offers state fact sheets on healthy youth (see http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/profiles/facts.htm).
Shara Godiwalla
Director
Federal Agency Forum on Child and Family Statistics
Phone:
301.458.4256
E-mail:
sgodiwalla@cdc.gov
Web:
http://www.childstats.gov/topiccontacts.asp...
A collaboration of federal agencies and departments, the forum fosters coordination in collecting and reporting federal statistics on family and social environment, economic circumstances, health and health care, physical environment and safety, behavior and education. It releases an annual report, “America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-being,” each July. For 2007 data, see http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/index.asp For federal statistics on a range of issues, see www.fedstats.gov
Alan Guttmacher, M.D
Director
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
National Institutes of Health
Director
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
National Institutes of Health
Media Contact: 301.496.5133
Dr. Guttmacher, M.D., assumed the duties of NICHD Acting Director on December 1, 2009. A pediatrician and medical geneticist, Dr. Guttmacher came to the NIH in 1999 to work at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), where he oversaw that Institute’s efforts to advance genome research, integrate that research into health care, and explore the ethical, legal, and social implications of human genomics. NICHD is part of the National Institutes of Health. It sponsors research on development before and after birth; maternal, child and family health; reproductive biology and population issues; and medical rehabilitation.
Dr. Guttmacher, M.D., assumed the duties of NICHD Acting Director on December 1, 2009. A pediatrician and medical geneticist, Dr. Guttmacher came to the NIH in 1999 to work at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), where he oversaw that Institute’s efforts to advance genome research, integrate that research into health care, and explore the ethical, legal, and social implications of human genomics. NICHD is part of the National Institutes of Health. It sponsors research on development before and after birth; maternal, child and family health; reproductive biology and population issues; and medical rehabilitation.
Mary Reardon
Public Affairs Officer
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Economic Research Service
Address:
1800 M St. NW
Washington, DC 20036-5831
Phone:
202.694.5136
E-mail:
mreardon@ers.usda.gov
Web:
http://www.ers.usda.gov...
The ERS provides economic analysis on food, farming, natural resources and rural development. Its economists and social scientists conduct research, analyze food and commodity markets, produce policy studies, and develop economic and statistical indicators. Its work is in four areas: resource and rural economics; food economics; information services; and market and trade economics.
Constance James
Acting Public Affairs Director
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
801 Thompson Ave., Ste. 400
Rockville, MD 20852-1627
301.443.1865; constance.james@ihs.gov
IHS’ mission is to raise the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska natives to the highest level. IHS has fact sheets on Indian populations, health disparities, diabetes, collaboration with states, and more.
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