Russell R. Pate, PhD, Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 730 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208, Shirley R. Watkins, MEd, SR Watkins & Associates, 16612 Sea Island Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905, (301) 476-7533, watkinsrw1738@aol.com, and Vivica Kraak, MS, RD, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.

The IOM Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth is charged with assessing the nature of obesity in children and youth in the United States and developing a prevention-oriented action plan to reduce its prevalence. In assessing the array of interrelated factors that contribute to childhood obesity and that may play a role in short- and long-term prevention, the committee’s discussions have focused on strategies to create healthy school environments that promote nutrition and increase physical activity among children and youth in elementary, middle and high schools. IOM committee members will present the committee’s findings and recommendations with a focus for this discussion on increasing physical activity and improving dietary choices in the school environment.

Learning Objectives: