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ensure accuracy. Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the
Balance base is not yet available. Instead, we are in the midst
of compiling that much needed evidence at the same time that
there is an urgent need to respond to this epidemic of childhood
obesity. Therefore, the committee used the best scientific
evidence available—including studies with obesity as the outcome
measure and studies on improving dietary behaviors, increasing
physical activity levels, and reducing sedentary behaviors as
well as years of experience and study on what has worked in
addressing similar public health challenges—to develop the
recommendations presented in this report. These recommendations
constitute the committee’s priorities and the recommended steps
to achieve them. As evidence was limited, yet the health
concerns are immediate and warrant pr