The obesity epidemic has a disproportionate impact on communities that are hard-hit by social and economic disadvantages. In "Obesity Interventions in Underserved Communities," a diverse group of researchers explores effective models for treating and preventing obesity in such communities. The volume provides overviews of the literature at specific junctures of society and health (e.g., the effectiveness of preschool obesity prevention programs), as well as commentaries that shape our understanding of particular parts of the obesity epidemic and field reports on innovative approaches to combating obesity in racial/ethnic minority and other medically underserved populations in the United States. Authors make specific recommendations to policy makers which are designed to reverse the rising rate of obesity dramatically.

The thirty-one literature reviews, commentaries, and field reports collected here address obesity prevention and treatment programs implemented across a spectrum of underserved populations, with particular attention paid to children and adolescents. Aimed at students, clinicians, and community workers in public health and health policy, as well as family medicine and pediatrics, sociology, childhood education, and nutrition--and deeply informed by fieldwork--this book demonstrates the importance of taking a full contextual view, both historical and current, when considering the challenge of reversing upward obesity trends among ethnic minorities, impoverished people, and other underserved populations.

To battle the obesity epidemic in America, health care professionals and policymakers need relevant, useful data on the effectiveness of obesity prevention policies and programs. Bridging the Evidence Gap in Obesity Prevention identifies a new approach to decision making and research on obesity prevention to use a systems perspective to gain a broader understanding of the context of obesity and the many factors that influence it. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Obesity Prevention Strategies in Concept and Practice 3 Rationale for and Overview of the L.E.A.D. Framework 4 Defining the Problem: The Importance of Taking a Systems Perspective 5 Specifying Questions and Locating Evidence: An Expanded View 6 Evaluating Evidence 7 Assembling Evidence and Informing Decisions 8 Opportunities to Generate Evidence 9 Next Steps 10 Conclusions and Recommendations Appendix A: Acronyms and Glossary Appendix B: Other Evidence Projects Appendix C: Review of Existing Reviews on Obesity Prevention Appendix D: Information Sources for Locating Evidence Appendix E: An In-Depth Look at Study Designs and Methodologies Appendix F: Agendas from Two Workshops Appendix G: Committee Member Biographical Sketches Index