title: The epidemic of childhood obesity in the Americas must be stopped: Governmental and PAHO leadership are crucial.
abstract: The Pan American Health Organization's approach to preventing child obesity is built on (1) documenting and monitoring the problem and its social and economic impacts; (2) advocating for prevention and control policies through the life-course, within and outside of the health sector; (3) leading initiatives on healthy diet and active living and educating policy makers and the public about obesogenic environments, including policies to reduce the marketing of food and beverages to children; (4) enabling healthy environments for daily life activities, especially for children in schools and community settings; (5) strengthening capacity for integrated management of obesity and noncommunicable diseases with emphasis on primary health care; and (6) mobilizing partners and resources to combat the problem.
authors.affiliation: Area of Sustainable Development and Environmental Health, Pan American Health Organization , Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jacoby
authors.affiliation: Healthy Life-Course, Family and Community Health Area, Pan American Health Organization , Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grajeda
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion, Health Education and Social Communication, Area of Sustainable Development and Environmental Health, Pan American Health Organization , Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.affiliation: Noncommunicable Diseases, Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention and Control Area, Pan American Health Organization , Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hospedales
keywords: Pan American Health Organization.; childhood; health determinants; health-promoting schools; life-course; policy