While health experts across the nation focus their attention on the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of children’s health advocates in Nevada are centering their efforts on a different epidemic, one that has worsened since coronavirus began to spread. 

In February of 2021, the Children’s Advocacy Alliance – Nevada (CAANV), with the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, published Childhood Obesity Prevention through a Health Disparity and Health Equity Lens, a white paper examining childhood obesity and health disparities, their causes and their health consequences.  CAANV received funding and technical assistance from Voices for Healthy Kids, an initiative of the American Heart Association, for their work in the early care and education security space.

To dive deeper into some of the barriers to health that children in Nevada and across the nation experience and how CAANV is working to address them, we sat down (virtually) with the authors:

 

Kelly Bumgarner, PhD, MPH, MS

  • Day job: Director of Health Policy at the Children’s Advocacy Alliance 

  • Involvement: Author and editor 

  • Fun fact: Kelly also has a background in exercise physiology and nutrition 

 

Kimberly Rogers, GPC

  • Day job: Grassroots Manager, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

  • Involvement: Author and editor

  • Fun fact: Kimberly loves all things public health and public policy, as well as all things Wizard of Oz.

 

Tiffany Tyler-Garner, PhD

  • Day job: Executive Director, Children’s Advocacy Alliance

  • Involvement: Supporter

  • Fun fact: Tyler-Garner’s research interests include human services, cultural competence and health disparities.

 

What went into the creation of this white paper? How did you come up with the topic? How did you go about the research?  

Bumgarner: A lot of stakeholders in Nevada are concerned about our childhood obesity rates. This paper is a collaborative effort between the Children's Advocacy Alliance, the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition and members of School of Public Health at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. Kimberly Rogers, on behalf of the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition and with the support of a team of UNLV grad students, did the heavy lifting. She's a wonderful researcher, writer and collaborator. I assisted with editing and revising, but the majority of credit on this project belongs to Kimberly.

 

What are the biggest challenges when it comes to helping children grow up at a healthy weight in Nevada?

Bumgarner: We are currently very under resourced. Nevada's population has grown rapidly in a short period, and we haven't properly invested in an equitable, sustainable public health infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted our tourism economy, and it's hard to attract health practitioners, fitness facilities and grocery stores to certain parts of our state. The lack of monetary investment into a system that supports proper nutrition, safe outdoor play and accessible health care makes it hard for some Nevadan kids to thrive. 


You created a multi-pronged approach of seven recommendations. Tell me a little bit about how you came to those recommendations. 

Rogers: There is not one simple solution to fight the obesity epidemic in Nevada. It is important to look at what works. Using evidence-based policies in obesity prevention is key in resolving the complex issues we face, including this year’s pandemic. Policymakers, state and local organizations, business and community leaders, school, child care and health care professionals and individuals must consistently work together to create an environment that will support families to better improve the health of our Nevada children. 


Why is Nevada poised to meet the challenge of childhood obesity?

Rogers: Nevada is unique in many ways, geographically and politically. One thing is clear, when it comes to the health and well-being of our children, they care about our Nevada kids. We have a citizen legislature. Our policymakers are not career politicians. They are Nevada taxpayers. They have kids, grandkids and care about our communities. Because they live in our communities day-to-day, we have an opportunity to interact with them in a way that many other individuals in other states may not have the opportunity to do. This year, as they face many challenges related to budget, there are several recommendations that could be integrated that are low/no cost and may create positive long-term impacts in the future.


The negative health consequences as a result of COVID-19 are mentioned throughout the white paper. Why was this important to include?

Bumgarner: Someone recently told me they now think of their health-related work in two phases – pre-COVID and post-COVID. We must view issues of children's health, including obesity, mental health and equitable access to care, through a post-COVID lens. The pandemic has increased sedentary behaviors and social isolation while decreasing adherence to recommended well-check schedules. Even after the public health emergency has ended and life regains some sense of "normalcy," there will be a lot of harm to undo.


How can people use the information within the paper in their own work or campaigns?

Rogers: Obesity prevention is a multi-pronged approach involving many community players. Using the white paper as a guide to plan organizational activities or request grant funding is a great way to help move the needle on obesity prevention efforts in Nevada. 

Tyler-Garner: And, we hope stakeholders will use this important information to drive practice, policy and planning. Throughout this paper, there are data points that can be used as decision making points and baselines for progress, while supporting others to understand the need for equitable approaches. Accordingly, we welcome the opportunity to partner with others in hosting townhalls, forums and other convenings as a part of a strategic campaign to reduce childhood obesity through awareness. Moreover, we hope stakeholders will use this paper as a way of beginning to contextualize children's health conditions and ask themselves and others what role they can play in changing this trajectory.


What do you want people to remember long after they read this white paper?

Rogers: As we move efforts to improve overall health and well-being in Nevada, it’s important that we think about health equity. As we look at various issues, we must always look at them through a health equity lens. Ensuring access to health care to reduce health related disparities is the single best thing we can do to improve overall health in Nevada

Tyler-Garner: There is a role each of us can play mitigating childhood obesity. The researchers noted there are multiple factors contributing to childhood obesity, including community factors, environmental factors and psychological stressors. Given these findings, we must commit to a holistic response to this issue; one that includes systems or factors that initially may not be at the forefront of our thinking or practice. Consider the role economic development, built environments and mental health care may play in reducing childhood obesity as we acknowledge the ways in which aforementioned factors contribute to childhood obesity.



3/8/21