Obesity: A Public & Family Health Issue

Informing decisions through science and evidence-based practice.

Road sign image depicting the relationship between being overweight and heredity, glandular problems, emotional issues, fast food restaurants and poverty.

Sizing Up America: A Public Policy Guide For Deliberative Forums


Daily Dose

One in three--or 58 million--American adults aged 20 through 74 are overweight.

Cartoon of people discussing the negative impacts of fast food.


Who's Making a Difference?

Photograph of Dr. Sandra Hofferth

Sandra Hofferth, Ph.D. & Sally Curtin, M.S.

Do food programs make children overweight?

"This study ultimately failed to find either that low-income children are more likely to be overweight or that food programs contribute to overweight among such children."


Snapshot of Obesity in the United States

Sizing up America: The Weight of the Matter

Click here to open the powerpoint presentation

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Brought to you by:

University of Maryland, College of Health and Human Performance, Department of Family Science, Maryland Family Impact Seminar, and the Maryland Cooperative Extension Public Issues Education Focus Team

Technical website design:

Valorie McAlpin, Ph.D. & Megan Weng, M.S.

Under the direction of:

Bonnie Braun, Ph.D. & Colleen Vesely, M.A.
Department of Family Science, University of Maryland

For more information, contact Bonnie Braun

Last updated: 03/10/2009

PestNet Report #6
Maryland Field Crop Disease Notes - posted Jul 2, 2009

2009-2010 Maryland 4-H Teen Council County and City Nominations Due
As the 2009 Maryland 4-H Teen Focus Conference comes to an end, it is time for each county/city/unit to send the names of the 2009-2010 Maryland 4-H Teen Council members. Each unit may designate two official members of the Teen Council. - posted Jul 2, 2009

4-H Animal Registration Forms
Counties need to submitted copies of their members' completed 4-H Animal Registration Forms by July 15. - posted Jul 2, 2009

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