April 22, 2005

MGH hosts obesity conference

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 64 percent of U.S. adults over the age of 20 are considered overweight or obese. To encourage discussion and determine ways to prevent or intervene early with this problem, the MGH Community Benefits Program and MGH Community Health Associates co-sponsored "The Obesity Epidemic: What Does It Mean for the Health of our Communities" April 7 at the Chelsea Wyndham Hotel. The program was attended by almost 100 community partners from Chelsea, Revere, Charlestown and the Boston Public Schools and included MGH practitioners from the health centers, school health personnel, youth program leaders and representatives from local government. Speakers included Lee Kaplan, MD, PhD, director of the MGH Weight Center, and Alison Hoppin, MD, pediatric director of the MGH Weight Center.

"Many factors contribute to obesity in the community, ranging from lack of access to public spaces for physical activity to lack of affordable fruits and vegetables," says Joan Quinlan, director of MGH Community Benefits. "Communities now will begin to assess these risk factors as they work in partnership with the MGH to become healthier communities.

Left, Kaplan addresses the conference.