Fighting an epidemic: The role of schools in reducing childhood obesity

Obesity among children and adolescents is a major public health concern affecting the physical and emotional health of youth while increasing their risk of reduced quality and duration of life. Schools and communities have begun to galvanize to address this epidemic and need quality empirical information to guide their policy, programming, and intervention efforts. This article reviews the definition of childhood obesity and the physical, psychosocial, and academic consequences of obesity among youth. The roles of schools and school psychologists in intervening against this overwhelming trend are discussed as well as current empirically based programs. Schools are recommended to take a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to school policies and programs to increase nutrition and physical activity.