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

Adolescence is a time of major transition, however, health care services in the United States today are not designed to help young people develop healthy routines, behaviors, and relationships that they can carry into their adult lives. While most adolescents at this stage of life are thriving, many of them have difficulty gaining access to necessary services; other engage in risky behaviors that can jeopardize their health during these formative years and also contribute to poor health outcomes in adulthood. Missed opportunities for disease prevention and health promotion are two major problematic features of our nation's health services system for adolescents. Recognizing that health care providers play an important role in fostering healthy behaviors among adolescents, Adolescent Health Services examines the health status of adolescents and reviews the separate and uncoordinated programs and services delivered in multiple public and private health care settings. The book provides guidance to administrators in public and private health care agencies, health care workers, guidance counselors, parents, school administrators, and policy makers on investing in, strengthening, and improving an integrated health system for adolescents. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Setting the Stage 2 Adolescent Health Status 3 Current Adolescent Health Services, Settings, and Providers 4 Improving Systems of Adolescent Health Services 5 Preparing a Workforce to Meet the Health Needs of Adolescents 6 Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Adolescent Health Services 7 Overall Conclusions and Recommendations Appendix A: Acronyms Appendix B: Harris Interactive Omnibus Survey Questions Appendix C: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff Index