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Childhood Obesity Task Force |
About Us
The San Francisco Childhood Obesity Task Force (SF COTF) is an open multidisciplinary task force with a cross section of members from health departments, academic medicine, primary and specialty care, health plans, child care, HeadStart, schools, hospitals, and youth development and community based organizations. Membership is open to those working on this issue from all Bay Area Counties.
History
The SF COTF has been meeting together for almost five years. Originally the San Francisco Childhood Prevention Work Group, the work group evolved to address its broader mission of childhood obesity management and prevention. Our work is framed within a public health perspective, with special attention to clinical and research issues. Our goal is practical looking for strategies to increase physical activity, encourage healthy eating, and identifying children and youth who require additional assessment, treatment, and lifestyle strategies to be healthy.
Working Collaboratively
The task force would like to bridge the gap between clinicians and community resources, children, parents, and other caregivers, so everyone is aware of the health risks related to obesity. Obesity is a societal problem that requires policy as well as treatment and prevention approaches. Obesity is a public health crisis.
Health Disparities
The task force addresses health disparities and the social determinants of health and recognizes the unequal playing field we live and work in related to safety, food security, stress, the high cost of living, housing habitability, and related issues.
In San Francisco alone, low income children, and low income children of color often have some of the highest obesity rates, experiencing the greatest health disparities in a cycle that is difficult to break. This cycle leads to increased risk of chronic illness, poor health, poor school performance, and shortened life expectancy’
Childhood Obesity and Overweight in San Francisco County
Infants and Toddlers 0 to 59 Months of Age
Rates of obesity among low income children in San Francisco are high. 12.1% of all low income infants and toddlers 0-59 months old are obese. The prevalence is highest among Latinos (14.5%) and African Americans (12.8%) The percentage for low income Whites is currently 9.4%; while 8.9% of Asian infants and toddlers are obese (pedNSS, 2008).
Children and Youth
Among low income San Francisco children and youth 5-19 years old 19.2% are overweight and 23.8% obese with highest prevalence among Latinos (28.3%) and African Americans (24.6%). 16% of low income White 5-19 year olds are obese and 10% of Asians in this age group.
If you look at overweight, 13.4% of Asian children and youth fall into this category, and 25.3% of Whites. In addition, 19.5% of African American low income children and youth are overweight, and 22.3% of Latino 5-19 year olds. We know that Pacific Islander and American Indian children and youth are at high risk for overweight and obesity. However, the numbers in the San Francisco sample size are too small to calculate.
Increase in Overweight and Obesity as Children Enter School
Overall there is a rather dramatic increase in the number of low income obese children living in San Francisco. As children move from preschool to school age and adolescence the prevalence of obesity increases (pedNSS, 2008).
Ongoing Projects
The task force has an ongoing Community Conversation in progress working to identify resources for children and families and partnering to bridge the gap between community providers and clinicians. The task force also has a Pilot Physical Activity and Nutrition Education Hotline that is being evaluated.
All projects look at healthy life style and prevention of chronic illness with a strong emphasis on environmental components.
Planning Committee
Childhood Obesity 2010: The Next Generation of Prevention and Management
Member/Affiliation
Robert Lustig, MD/UCSF, Pediatric Endocrinology, Co-Chair
Gloria Thornton, MA LMFT/Anthem Blue Cross State Sponsored Business, Co- Chair
Amy Dietz, MPH/San Francisco Health Plan
Beverly Juan, MD/Alameda County Public Health Department
Cam Tu Tran, MD/UCSF Pediatrics/SFGH Pediatrics
Janet R Green, MPH/Kaiser Permanente SF
Magdalene Louie, MS, RD/SFDPH, WIC
Marianne Szeto, MPH/Shape Up SF/SFDPH
Mary De Busman, MS, RD/Alameda County Public Health Department
Miriam Alper, PHN/SFDPH, CHDP
Yeva Johnson, MD, MPH/Medical Director, SFDPH, MCAH Section
Corinne Ng/Training Coordinator
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