The U.S. is experiencing a childhood obesity epidemic! Over the past 30 years childhood obesity has doubled in children and tripled in adolescents. Being obese increases a child's risk for serious childhood medical problems. In addition, research over the last 40 years tells us that overweight children are at greater risk of becoming obese adults, with all the health problems associated with obesity lasting through the lifespan.

Join experts from the University of Michigan Health System as they present information on the childhood obesity epidemic and community and clinical programs that are trying to reverse this dangerous trend. Information on Project Healthy Schools, a school-based program to increase physical activity and encourage healthier food choices, will be provided. Behavioral and surgical treatment options for children and adolescents with obesity will be additionally be covered, along with the use of mobile technology to enhance treatment outcomes.

Speakers include: Kim A. Eagle, M.D., M.A.C.C., the Albion Walter Hewlett Professor of Internal Medicine; Chief of Clinical Cardiovascular Medicine; Director of the Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan Health System and the Founder of Project Healthy Schools, a Community-University of Michigan Collaborative and Susan Woolford, MD, MPH , the Medical Director of the C. S. Mott Children's Hospital Pediatric Comprehensive Weight Management Center and an Assistant Professor in the Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit in the Division of General Pediatrics at the University of Michigan.

The event is cosponsored by University of Michigan Brehm Center; University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center; Project Healthy Schools, a Community-University of Michigan Collaborative and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Pediatric Comprehensive Weight Management Center. Several community and U-M health organizations will also staff resource tables at the entrance to the event