Obesity is not just an individual health concern. Obesity is also a major national security risk being the leading medical disqualifier for young adults denied entry into the armed forces. What role can government, communities and health professionals play to reverse this troubling trend and guarantee the nation is able to recruit and sustain a healthy set of armed forces? Join National Journal as we gathe r experts from the military, leading academics, advocacy groups, and health professionals to provide insight into this critical topic."
Bio
Rear Admiral James Arden Barnett Jr.
Rear Adm. Barnett was assigned as Communications Officer aboard USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938). In August 1979, Rear Adm. Barnett returned to the University of Mississippi NROTC Unit as Assistant Professor of Naval Science, teaching Naval Engineering and Naval Weapons. Leaving active duty in 1982, Rear Adm. Barnett affiliated with the Navy Reserve, attending the University of Mississippi Law School and earning his Juris Doctor in 1984. He was selected as Chairman of the Moot Court Board and was named the Dean Williams Outstanding Student.
Rear Adm. Barnett served as Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve (NR) Dewey (DDG-45) and Commanding Officer of the Memphis Readiness Unit. He transferred to NR Military Sealift Command Mideast 309 and was recalled to active duty during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and served as the Assistant Officer-in-Charge of the Military Sealift Command Office, Ad Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Rear Adm. Barnett assumed command of Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 207, Jacksonville, Fla., from October 1995 through September 1997, earning the Red “E†award. He commanded Middle East expeditionary units of the Military Sealift Command in Memphis. He served as Deputy for Mission Effectiveness Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region Four. He was Commanding Officer of NR Commander Naval Surface Group Mediterranean 105 in Pittsburgh, supporting Commander Fleet Air Mediterranean (COMFAIRMED) and Commander Task Force-63 (CTF-63).
Rear Adm. Barnett was recalled to active duty for special work in October 2001. He served one year on Task Force Excel in Washington, D.C. as Project Manager of the Personal Development Vector. He was chosen as the first Commanding Officer of the new Center for Personal Development in Dam Neck, Va. He served on active duty as the Director of Naval Education and Training (OPNAV N17) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. Rear Adm. Barnett is currently serving as the Deputy Commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command.
Christine Ferguson
Christine C. Ferguson, J.D. is a Professor in the School of Public Health and Health Services at The George Washington University. She is also charged with coordinating the day to day activities of the STOP Obesity Alliance. In addition to her research agenda in obesity, her other areas of focus include national health reform, Medicaid, health care financing, health care and management, child health and development, public health preparedness and state health policy.
Maggie Fox
Maggie Fox is a senior writer on health issues for both NBCNews.com and Today.com. She previously was the managing editor of healthcare and technology at National Journal, where she managed two teams of specialist journalists, moderated panels at live events, and wrote breaking news, analysis, and columns for the magazine, website, and National Journal Daily. Before joining National Journal, Ms. Fox was the global health and science editor for Reuters, where she established an award-winning and agenda-setting science and health file for the news agency. She has also served as a correspondent in Hong Kong and Beirut for a variety of news organizations, covered the ouster of former president Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, the Tiananmen Square protests in China, and is one of the few people to have interviewed Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi. Ms. Fox has received awards for her coverage of mad cow disease, swine flu, vaccination controversies, and Japan’s economic development.
Tracy Fox
Tracy Fox, President of Food, Nutrition & Policy Consultants, LLC has over 20 years of experience working in the federal government and the private sector, and has extensive experience in federal nutrition policy and the legislative and regulatory process. Her clients include/have included Federal, State and local agencies including the US Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Trade Commission, non-profit organizations including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Partnership for a Healthier America, National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play, Produce for Better Health Foundation, Action for Healthy Kids, Nemours Foundation, public health departments and educational agencies, grocery store chains and public relations firms, where she provides advice and expertise on policy and nutrition initiatives. Areas of expertise include child nutrition and school health, nutrition education, food labeling and marketing, federal, state and local nutrition policy, advocacy and government relations. She has presented and spoken at national, state and local venues across the country and is quoted and appears regularly in media outlets (print, radio and TV) on subjects including school nutrition, children’s health, obesity, and nutrition policy.
Dr. Marian Tanofsky-Kraff
Dr. Tanofsky-Kraff studies eating disorders and obesity in children and adolescents. Her research addresses the risks, protective factors, maintenance, and consequences of childhood eating disturbance and overweight, with a particular focus on binge eating and the prevention of excessive weight gain. Currently, she is studying binge eating behaviors in children and adolescents. In addition, she is piloting a psychotherapeutic program to prevent excessive weight in adolescent girls who are at high risk for adult obesity.
COL Heidi Warrington
COL Heidi Warrington is the Chief Nurse Executive of the U.S. Army Public Health Command.
Rear Admiral James Arden Barnett Jr., Deputy Commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, presents startling statistics about how the obesity epidemic is affecting the potential recruiting class for the United States Armed Forces.
Excessive body fat. It is usually caused by sedentary habits and a diet high in fat, alcohol, or total calories. Calories consumed but not used are stored as fat. Rare causes include glandular defects and excess steroids (seeCushing syndrome). Obesity raises the risk of heart disease and diabetes mellitus. Treatment, by reducing calorie intake and increasing exercise, is best undertaken with a doctor's advice.
