Rutgers Children’s Health Summit On Dec. 3 Aims To Fight The Epidemic of Childhood Obesity

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Understanding and preventing obesity in children and youth is the focus of the 11th Annual Children’s Health Summit sponsored by Rutgers on Friday, Dec. 3, at the Cook Campus Center, in New Brunswick, NJ, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The daylong conference, “Fighting Back Against Childhood Obesity, Growing Healthy: Making a Difference Through Policy and Environmental Change,” will emphasize the importance of “starting early” by increasing awareness and understanding of the connection between the environment, policy and health.

Sponsored by the Family and Community Health Sciences Department of Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health at Rutgers, the summit will provide teachers, dietitians, child care providers, school nurses, health care providers, health educators, food service providers and parents with strategies regarding healthy eating and physical activity in children and youth.

Among the nationally ranked speakers is Anne Palmer, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, who will speak on “The Role of Policy in Improving School Food Environments.” Jennifer Orlet Fisher, associate professor of public health at the Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University, will present “From the Laboratory to the Table: Early Environmental Influences on Development.”

The program features a choice of workshops on “Healthful Eating for Young Children: Tools and Tips,” “The Nutritional Sciences Preschool—Our Mission is Nutrition (and Active Play!),” “KidsFit Newark” and “Expanding Breakfast in Schools—Breakfast in the Classroom as a Best Practice to Achieve Healthy Nutrition.”

Carolyn Voorhees, associate professor, Public and Community Health, University of Maryland will speak on “Improving the Physical Activity Environment through Policy.” Jennifer Weber, manager of policy, Nemours Office of Child Health Policy and Advocacy, an integrated children's health system based in Washington, DC, presents “Fueling Up For the Future.”

The summit partners include The Y, ShapingNJ and the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids.

Early registration before Nov. 19 is $85, and includes continental breakfast and light lunch. Registration after November 19 is $95. Student rate is $25 with valid ID only. Continuing education credits are available. Registration is limited. Register with the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Office of Continuing Professional Education at www.cpe.rutgers.edu, or call 732-932-9271.