preventive childhood obesity: health in the balance is a 2005 report by the national academies press, authored by jeffrey p. koplan, catharyn t. liverman, and vivica i. kraak. the report is based on a 24-month study by a national committee of thought leaders, commissioned by the u.s. congress and the centers for disease control and prevention. the committee was tasked with developing a prevention-focused plan to reduce childhood obesity in the united states. the report presents data to support a national public health priority, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address the obesity epidemic. the committee recommends 10 national priorities, including industry, nutrition labeling, advertising, community programs, the built environment, health care, schools, and home. the report highlights the importance of the built environment in reducing physical activity and improving dietary quality. it also emphasizes the need for long-term commitment and sustained resources to effectively address the obesity crisis. the report notes that while the goal of healthy people 2010 was to reduce the proportion of obese children and adolescents to 5% by 2010, this goal is not achievable given the current rate of 16%. the report also stresses the importance of evaluation of efforts to learn from both success and failure. the ultimate goal is to make a healthy diet, activity level, and body weight the social norm for all children. the report is a call to action for all to read and take steps to address the obesity crisis.preventive childhood obesity: health in the balance is a 2005 report by the national academies press, authored by jeffrey p. koplan, catharyn t. liverman, and vivica i. kraak. the report is based on a 24-month study by a national committee of thought leaders, commissioned by the u.s. congress and the centers for disease control and prevention. the committee was tasked with developing a prevention-focused plan to reduce childhood obesity in the united states. the report presents data to support a national public health priority, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address the obesity epidemic. the committee recommends 10 national priorities, including industry, nutrition labeling, advertising, community programs, the built environment, health care, schools, and home. the report highlights the importance of the built environment in reducing physical activity and improving dietary quality. it also emphasizes the need for long-term commitment and sustained resources to effectively address the obesity crisis. the report notes that while the goal of healthy people 2010 was to reduce the proportion of obese children and adolescents to 5% by 2010, this goal is not achievable given the current rate of 16%. the report also stresses the importance of evaluation of efforts to learn from both success and failure. the ultimate goal is to make a healthy diet, activity level, and body weight the social norm for all children. the report is a call to action for all to read and take steps to address the obesity crisis.