Government Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Overweight and Obesity
Discusses obesity trends, health and economic consequences and provides recommendations and
resources for reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
The USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) works to improve the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers.
Choose My Plate
USDA's food guidance system to help consumers build healthier diets.
Let's Move!
The Let’s Move! campaign, started by First Lady Michelle Obama, has an ambitious national goal of solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight.
U.S. National Physical Activity Plan
The Plan is a comprehensive set of policies, programs, and initiatives that aim to increase physical activity in all segments of the American population.
Academic Resources
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Opened in 1988, the Pennington Center houses 53 laboratories that span the Center's three programs -
Basic Research, Clinical Research, and Population Science. Pennington Center's mission is to promote healthier lives through research and education in nutrition and preventive medicine.
The Children's Nutrition Research Center (Baylor College of Medicine)
Federally funded human nutrition research center. Work includes scientific investigations into the role of maternal, infant and child nutrition in optimal health, development, and growth.
Professional Organizations & Associations
American Academy of Pediatrics
Site includes information and resources from the nation's foremost experts in child health, including a
parenting corner and a link to Healthy Children, a quarterly magazine for parents on a wide range of health topics including nutrition and fitness recommendations.
American Dietetic Association
Site from the nation's largest organization of nutrition professionals contains nutrition information such as fact sheets and tips on healthy eating, bibliographies on selected subjects such as diabetes and sports nutrition and link to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Site offers nutrition professionals learning opportunities that provide education credits.
America on the Move
Site promotes healthful eating and active living among individuals and community groups. Offers free, personalized online resources and interactive tools.
The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation
The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a CEO-led organization, is a national, multi-year effort designed to help reduce obesity–especially childhood obesity–by 2015. It’s a first-of-its kind coalition that brings together more than 100 retailers, food and beverage manufacturers, restaurants, sporting goods and insurance companies, trade associations and NGOs, and professional sports organizations. The Foundation promotes ways to help people achieve a healthy weight through energy balance–calories in and calories out. It focuses on three critical areas–the marketplace, the workplace and schools.
Children and Youth Focused Resources and Links for Parents
Energy Balance 101
Information and tips for parents and teachers from the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation.
BAM! Body and Mind (CDC U.S.)
Designed for kids 9-13 years old, BAM! Body and Mind gives them the information they need to make healthy lifestyle choices. Kid-friendly topics and an interactive aid for teachers from the CDC on exercise,
nutrition and health.
Kidnetic.com (IFIC)
Informative site from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) aimed at helping kids eat healthy and stay active.
Best Bones Forever! (U.S. HHS)
Quick and easy ideas to make sure you eat plenty of calcium every day.
Interactive Tools
Choose My Plate
Online daily food plans, food tracker and food planner, as well as MyFood-a-pedia calorie and food group database. Based on MyPlate, USDA’s food guidance system.
Get Moving Calculator
From the Calorie Control Council online tools for calculating calories expended during physical activity
Calorie Counters
From the Calorie Control Council online tools for calculating calories in food and calories burned through exercise.