HU Professors Release a Report on Obesity in Hampton Roads

Hampton, VA - Childhood obesity is an internationally recognized epidemic.  In order to help combat this problem two Hampton University School of Nursing professors have completed a study that outlines community based resources available to youth in their quest to lose weight.

Dr. Dinah Saunders and Dr. Barbara Harrison, both associate professors of nursing, have co-written the study entitled "Application of the Epidemiological Model: Community-based Interventions for the Management of Obesity in Children and Young Adults."

Saunders visited the University of Oxford in April 2006 to present the study at to the interdisciplinary Oxford Roundtable.

The study states "obesity has been transformed from being considered the result of an individual's lack of self-control to being identified as a dilemma in relation to global wellbeing. A dilemma in which obesity serves as the source of a myriad of health concerns. Specifically, obesity is identified as an epidemic in the United States and concern is mounting in other countries and cultures."

Saunders' and Harrison's study focuses specifically on community resources available to youth in the Hampton Roads area including the Healthy Hamptonians project.

"It grows community awareness of resources out there so that they don't feel alone," said Saunders.

The study states "obesity prevention strategies such as nutritional intervention following an epidemiologic model can be implemented on the local and regional levels to address the health problems related to obesity."

Resources in Hampton Roasds suggested in this study to help individuals and families fight obesity include YMCAs, health clubs, healthcare services, community centers, and church organizations.

The study was published in the Forum on Public Policy winter 2007 edition and can be read online at http://www.forumonpublicpolicy.com/archive07/saunders.pdf