Childhood obesity prevention across borders: A National Institutes of Health commentary

Abstract

Summary In response to the increasing rates of childhood obesity, the United States and countries across Latin America have invested in research that tests innovative strategies and interventions. Despite this, progress has been slow, uneven, and sporadic, calling for increased knowledge exchange and research collaboration that accelerate the adaptation and implementation of promising childhood obesity interventions. To share research results, challenges, and proven intervention strategies among Latin American and US researchers, particularly those working with Latino and Latin American populations, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened researchers from the United States and Latin America to highlight synergies between research conducted in Latin America and among Latino populations in the United States with the goal of catalyzing new relationships and identifying common research questions and strategies. This article highlights the NIH's research and priorities in childhood obesity prevention as well as areas for future direction, including overarching NIH plans and NIH institutes, centers, and offices investments in specific areas related to childhood obesity prevention in Latin America and/or among Latino populations in the United States.

Childhood obesity prevention across borders: The promise of U.S.–Latin American research collaboration

“…Perng et al 22 conducted a narrative review on the role of obesogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals in the etiology of childhood obesity among Latin youth in the United States and Latin America. Finally, Vorkoper et al 23 highlight NIH's interest and priorities in childhood obesity prevention and areas for future direction.…”

Measurement challenges for childhood obesity research within and between Latin America and the United States

“… 3 The Cross Border workshop also engaged members of the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research to explore measurement needs for cross‐border research on obesity as well as participants from multiple NIH institutes and Offices. 4 …”

“…3 The Cross Border workshop also engaged members of the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research to explore measurement needs for cross-border research on obesity as well as participants from multiple NIH institutes and Offices. 4 Specifically, the workshop participants highlighted the importance of developing and selecting measures as a key component to harmonizing research across borders and as a critical foundational step toward understanding and optimizing interventions to improve their impact. Identifying the right measure depends critically on the purpose of the project, the population of interest, the age of the participants, and a wide variety of practical concerns.…”

“…The workshop built on a previous CGHS project that brought together researchers, practitioners and policymakers from Latin America around understanding the nutrition status of children, linking research to practice and policy, assessing research capacity, and identifying research needs 3 . The Cross Border workshop also engaged members of the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research to explore measurement needs for cross‐border research on obesity as well as participants from multiple NIH institutes and Offices 4 …”

Desafíos de medición para la investigación de la obesidad infantil en y entre América Latina y Estados Unidos

“…El taller se basó en un proyecto anterior del CGHS que reunió a investigadores, trabajadores sobre el terreno y responsables políticos de Latinoamérica para conocer la situación nutricional de los niños y tender un puente entre la investigación, por un lado, y la práctica y la política por el otro, así como para evaluar la capacidad de investigación e identificar sus necesidades 3 . Este taller transfronterizo también contó con la participación de algunos miembros de la iniciativa Colaboración Nacional para la Investigación de la Obesidad Infantil (NCCOR, por sus siglas en inglés) que analizaron las necesidades de medición en la investigación transfronteriza de la obesidad, así como de los representantes de varios institutos y oficinas de los NIH 4 .…”