Childhood Obesity: What’s Health Care Policy Got To Do With It?

Abstract

The health care industry must acknowledge its critical role in addressing childhood obesity. All components of the industry—payers, plans, and providers—must act based on the best available evidence. This evidence now points to promoting breastfeeding and increased physical activity, decreased television time, and decreased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages; the use of more-effective counseling techniques; and linking practice and community-based strategies around a common message. Policies in support of these changes include reimbursement for counseling and community efforts; training; incentives; and support for traditional and pragmatic research, the latter including sharing outcomes using common metrics across programs.