About Promoting Health

Promoting Health

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During the past 30 years, the prevalence of overweight/obesity among children and youth in Illinois and the US has dramatically increased. Illinois is ranked 4th in the nation for obesity among children. Rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes are at epidemic proportions and are being diagnosed in growing numbers in pediatric patients.

The cumulative evidence demonstrates that much of the morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions may be preventable through a combination of factors including access to healthy foods, opportunities for physical activity, and support for dietary and lifestyle modifications.

ICAAP’s Promoting Health obesity prevention initiatives aim to lower childhood obesity rates through its core projects that support pediatric practices and medical providers to provide the best quality of care through continuing medical education, quality improvement activities, linkages to community resources, and coordinated systems of care and linkages to community resources.

For information on ICAAP’s current obesity prevention initiatives, Strengthening Practices & Links to Community Resources and Healthy Babies, please click here.

For more information about Promoting Health, please contact:

Mary Elsner, JD
Director, Obesity Prevention Initiatives
312/733-1026, ext. 220
melsner@illinoisaap.com

Tina Dharmapanij, MA
Manager, Obesity Prevention Initiatives
312/733-1026, ext. 214
tdharmapanij@illinoisaap.com