Full Article:The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Prevention Services Division is pleased to release a summary of the 2011 Colorado Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Report. This summary represents the collaborative work of contractor M. Colleen Domer, MS, RD and several CDPHE programs dedicated to the health of children. Other state, local, public and private partners also contributed to this work.
In brief, this three-phased project included a thorough review of the literature supporting risk and protective factors for early childhood obesity, and prevention practices during the preconception and prenatal periods, and the first 5 years of a child’s life. The project also included an inventory of existing early childhood obesity prevention efforts throughout Colorado and an analysis of gaps in addressing this important issue. The conclusion of the project involved a stakeholder meeting to present the findings of the project and discuss future priorities for Colorado as well as the potential role of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in preventing early childhood obesity.
Obesity has been selected as one of Colorado’s 10 Winnable Battles. These 10 Winnable Battles provide the greatest opportunities for ensuring the health of Colorado’s citizens and visitors, and the improvement and protection of Colorado’s environment. Furthermore, the prevention of obesity among all children, age birth to 5 years has been identified as a Maternal and Child Health priority for Colorado.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has utilized the vast body of evidence, information, and stakeholder comments presented in this report to determine the future direction of the Department in early childhood obesity prevention. The CDPHE team members who guided this work hope each of you, as important partners in this effort, can use the information to inform the prevention activities of your organizations, and join the CDPHE and others in collaborative approaches to reduce obesity among Colorado’s youngest children.
Click here to access the report summary.
Click here to access the full report (appendices available upon request).
For additional information about the content of the report, or about state and local early childhood obesity prevention initiatives, contact Tracy Miller, CDPHE Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Specialist at (303) 692-2347 or by e-mail at tracymarie.miller@state.co.us.