Obesity rates are on the rise in the U.S. and safety net health systems play a critical role in stemming this epidemic. NAPH members offer a wide array of obesity treatment services and many tailor obesity interventions to fit their community’s needs, by addressing for instance the cultural and linguistic backrounds of their patients to provide the most effective care.

CDC research indicates obesity prevalence today remains high. From 1976 to 2006, obesity rates increased from 5 percent to 12.4 percent among children ages 2 to 5,  from 6.5 percent to 17 percent for those ages 6 to 11, and from 5 percent to 17.6 percent for those ages 12 to 19. Continue Reading