About Reports

IOM reports provide objective and straightforward advice to decision makers and the public. This site includes IOM reports published after 1998. All reports from the IOM and the National Academies, including those published before 1998, are available from the National Academies Press.

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  Local Government Actions to Prevent Childhood Obesity Released: September 1, 2009

  In the United States, 16.3 percent of children and adolescents between the ages of two and 19 are obese. The prevalence of obesity is so high that it may reduce the life expectancy of today’s generation of children and diminish the overall quality of their lives. Local governments can play a crucial role in creating environments that make it easier for children to eat healthy diets and move more. The 2009 report Local Government Actions to Prevent Childhood Obesity presents a menu of recommended action steps for local government officials to consider in their efforts to prevent childhood obesity in their community.
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  Joint U.S.-Mexico Workshop on Preventing Obesity in Children and Youth of Mexican Origin Released: January 16, 2007

  The Joint U.S.-Mexico Workshop on Preventing Obesity in Children and Youth of Mexican Origin was initiated by a desire to share experiences regarding the problem of obesity in children and youth of Mexican origin on both sides of the border, with a particular focus on potential solutions. U.S and Mexican researchers, public health officials, industry leaders, and policy-makers engaged in valuable dialogue to share perspectives, challenges, and opportunities.
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  Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: How Do We Measure Up? Released: September 13, 2006

  The Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Committee on Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity report, Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: How Do We Measure Up?, examines the progress made by obesity prevention initiatives in the United States over the past two years. The report builds on the IOM's 2005 report, Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, which was a congressionally mandated study that provided a blueprint to guide concerted actions for many stakeholders--including government, industry, media, communities, schools, and families--to collectively respond to the growing obesity epidemic in children and youth.
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  Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: Focus on Industry - Brief Summary: Institute of Medicine Regional Symposium Released: April 6, 2006

  This brief summary highlights the recurring themes that emerged from the symposium for accelerating change and moving forward with obesity prevention efforts.
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  Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: Focus on Communities - Brief Summary: Institute of Medicine Regional Symposium Released: February 17, 2006

  The Institute of Medicine (IOM), through the Food and Nutrition Board, and with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is undertaking a study to design a dissemination effort that will promote the implementation of the findings and recommendations for the IOM report, Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, and to assess progress in childhood obesity prevention efforts.
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  Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: Focus on Schools - Brief Summary: Institute of Medicine Regional Symposium Released: October 12, 2005

  This brief summary highlights the recurring themes for accelerating change and moving forward with obesity prevention efforts that emerged from the symposium: forging strategic partnerships; empowering local schools and communities; educating stakeholders; evaluating obesity prevention efforts; documenting the benefits of obesity prevention; innovating to address barriers; using a systems approach; and developing a long-term strategic plan.
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  Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance Released: September 29, 2004

  In response to a request from Congress for a prevention-oriented action plan to tackle the alarming rise in childhood obesity, the IOM Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth has developed a comprehensive national strategy that recommends specific actions for families, schools, industry, communities, and government. The committee's findings and recommendations are described in the report Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance.