Combating Childhood Obesity

Get DVDs to Help Prevent Obesity in Children

In response to the growing epidemic of childhood obesity in this country, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) worked in partnership with Discovery Networks, U.S., to develop two new DVD programs. One DVD program is for children and families, and one is for clinicians to prevent and treat childhood obesity and overweight. These are excellent tools that clinicians can use for their own education in this area, and they can share them with children and families to use as a resource.

Children and Their Families

• Try to eat five fruits and vegetables a day.
• Get away from the TV and computer screens and move around.
• Find fun ways to be physically active inside and outside.

There is a separate section for parents on small, achievable steps they can take to encourage these healthy habits in their children and themselves.

Select to open a message from Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, M.D. (Streaming Video: Dial-up Connection, 493 KB; Broadband Connection, 3.8 MB).

Order by Phone: Call the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at 1-800-358-9295 to order Max's Magical Delivery: Fit for Kids (Product No. 04-0088-DVD).

Clinicians

Childhood Obesity: Combating the Epidemic is a complementary DVD targeted to clinicians. This DVD:

• Addresses both prevention and treatment.
• Covers screening and counseling for families, and treatment for children who are obese, overweight, and at-risk.
• Provides helpful clinical tools such as body mass index (BMI) measurement in children, in addition to tips for initiating and sustaining behavior change in pediatric patients.
• Contains educational materials eligible for CME (continuing medical education) and CE (continuing education) credits that can be obtained through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Continuing education credit can be obtained online by registering for a post-test at: www.discoveryhealthCME.com.

In addition, Childhood Obesity: Combating the Epidemic will air on Discovery Health for several weeks this fall.

Select to access the clinicians' program (Dial-up Connection, 364 KB; Broadband Connection, 3.9 MB).

Order Online: Use the electronic order form to request your free copy of the DVD for clinicians.

Order by Phone: Call the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at 1-800-358-9295 to order Childhood Obesity: Combating the Epidemic (Product No. 04-0089-DVD).

AHRQ also is working with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and other groups to distribute copies of the DVD to clinicians and encourage them to have families order copies of Max's Magical Delivery.

Playback Tips

To listen to the RealAudio® clips, you will need Real® player software installed on your computer. To download a free RealOne® player, go to www.real.com, select "Free RealOne® Player," and follow installation directions. Check the minimum requirements for each for your system; if you are a Macintosh® or Unix®/Linux® user, select the player appropriate for your computer.

Follow the instructions provided for download and installation. If you are unsure of where you saved it on your computer, select "Start" on your navigation bar, then "Find," and search for "Real." When you find the folder, look for the "Set-Up" box, select that, and the installation will begin.

Current as of September 2004

Internet Citation:

Combating Childhood Obesity: Get DVDs to Help Prevent Obesity in Children. September 2004. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/child/dvdobesity.htm

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