American Heart Association Childhood Obesity Research Summit: executive summary.

As part of its strategic focus on childhood obesity, particularly the prevention of childhood obesity, the American Heart Association convened a Childhood Obesity Research Summit to examine research opportunities where the obesity epidemic intersects with the healthcare system. The Childhood Obesity Research Summit provided an overview of childhood obesity, and participants identified key questions that need to be answered, as well as recommendations for future work in the areas of education, public policy, and research. The recommendations and outcomes of the conference will help inform the American Heart Association and the Alliance for a Healthy Generation broadly in terms that will help to focus ongoing research and public policy initiatives.