Nearly 300 state and local policymakers and childhood obesity prevention advocates gathered for the 2013 Childhood Obesity Prevention Summit, which was held on September 30 to October 1 in Baltimore, Md. This year’s summit, “The Future of Childhood Obesity: State and Local Success to National Progress,” focused on how childhood obesity prevention policies at the local and state level are influencing national efforts to promote healthy eating and active living.
The summit opened with a keynote speech from U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings, J.D., followed by a plenary session that explored policies pursued by cities and states on the cutting edge of advancing healthy eating and active living strategies. Session speakers included Under Secretary Kevin Concannon, M.S.W., U.S. Department of Agriculture; James Krieger, M.D., M.P.H., of Seattle and King County, Washington; and Donald Shell, M.D., Director of Cancer and Chronic Disease, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Other speakers and panelists throughout the summit included representatives from federal, state and local entities, as well as leaders from academic, professional and community-based organizations. Workshops addressed, among other topics, food marketing to children, food access in underserved communities, community development and design strategies, school-based policies and socioeconomic disparities in policy implementation.
Leadership for Healthy Communities also recognized the inspirational efforts and achievements of five leaders during the Awards Dinner. This year’s recipients included Mayor Chip Johnson, Hernando, Miss.; Mayor Michael Nutter, Philadelphia, Pa.; Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Maryland House of Delegates; Superintendent John Skretta, Norris School District, Firth, Neb.; and Kenneth S. Ulman, County Executive, Howard County, Md.
On Tuesday, October 1, 2013, Md. Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, J.D. provided a keynote address about childhood obesity in Maryland.
To learn more about the 2013 Leadership for Healthy Communities Childhood Obesity Prevention Summit, visit www.leadershipforhealthycommunities.org
