State of Obesity 2022 Congressional Briefing and Webinar

This briefing explores the findings from TFAH’s recent report, which found obesity rates continue to climb nationwide and within population groups. 19 states had adult obesity rates at 35% or higher, up from 16 states the previous year. These persistent increases underscore that obesity is caused by a combination of factors including societal, biological, genetic, and environmental, which are beyond personal choice. Addressing the obesity crisis will require attending to the economic and structural factors of where and how people live.

Panelists discussed the latest data on obesity and its impacts, promising approaches to ensure healthier communities, and offered policy recommendations that can help all American lead healthier lives.

Resources:

Trust for America’s Health

• State of Obesity 2022: Better Policies for a Healthier America
• Explore the rates of obesity with the 50 state-by-state fact sheets

The White House:

• Fact sheet on $8 billion in new commitments
• Sign up here to join the monthly White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health Monthly Stakeholder calls
• White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

Panelists

• Sara Bleich, PhD, Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  Dr. Sara Bleich is the Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity in the Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), after serving as the Senior Advisor for COVID-19 in the Office of the Secretary at USDA (2021).
  Bio
  
• Cherylee Sherry, MPH, MCHES, Manager of Healthy Systems and Communities, Minnesota Department of Health
  Cherylee brings 40 years of leadership and program development experience in community health and health care to the Minnesota Department of Health.
  Bio
  
• Catherine Oakar, MPH
  Catherine Oakar serves as Special Assistant to the President for Public Health and Disparities at the White House.
  Bio
  

Moderator

• J. Nadine Gracia, MD MSCE, President &CEO, Trust for America's Health
  Dr. J. Nadine Gracia is the President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), a nonprofit, nonpartisan public health policy, research and advocacy organization that promotes optimal health for every person and community.
  Bio