The University of Baltimore Obesity Initiative

The University of Baltimore - focusing on the obesity epidemic in our community

Why are professors of finance, economics, public policy and law, researching obesity? Obesity is a complex social and psychological phenomenon that has implications for business, law and public policy that are distinct from those currently being addressed by the medical professions. For example, there are issues that relate to health insurance, employee productivity and workforce development, to marketing, to public policy, to litigation and legal precedent and to long-term prevention.

The University of Baltimore is uniquely situated to research and speak out on this issue. It is an urban university in the middle of Baltimore which has a large African American population in which the obesity epidemic is more serious than in the general population. Consequently, the problem takes on a personal aspect in that the focus on obesity research is an obvious and important way for UB to serve its neighborhood. Linkages between obesity and lower levels of income and education further underscore the relevance for UB.

Since at least 2002, our research team at the University of Baltimore has been studying the causes of obesity, the costs and potential solutions. To date, we have published journal articles, written a book, hosted and presented at conferences and forums, supplied expert testimony and other legislative support to state governments, and contributed to radio, television and print media coverage of the obesity epidemic from coast to coast. Our efforts to contribute to state policy are showing positive effects in the latest version of the UB Obesity Report Card. State governments are showing promising signs of ackowledging the severity of the epidemic and the need for appropriate legislative action.

Members of our interdisciplinary team have participated in a large number of events such as: the Black Families Reunion, the annual meeting of the American Association for Public Policy and Management (APPAM), the Academy of Health Conference, the Baltimore forum, Taking Action Against Obesity in Communities of Color, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Empowerment Tour in 2005 (View webcast). Perhaps one of the most productive activities of the initiative to date is the 2005 conference hosted at UB to address obesity.

Previous (Spring 2005) Event: Conference and Luncheon

Keynote Speaker: S. Anthony McCann
Secretary, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

The cost of obesity: Lessons for business and public policy

On Tuesday, May 3rd, 2005, a conference focusing on business and public policy issues related to obesity was presented at the University of Baltimore – Robert G. Merrick School of Business.

Academics from the University of Baltimore, Tufts, Cornell, and Indiana gathered for a think tank workshop to explore obesity issues. Edward Elgar (a leading international academic publisher in economics, finance, business, management and law) will publish the output from the conference. The book, Obesity, Business and Public Policy, edited by Zoltan Acs and Alan Lyles, in collaboration with Kenneth Stanton, will be in print in early 2007. It features a foreword by Governor Michael Huckabee of Arkansas and contributions from Z.J. Acs, J.F. Anderson, D.B. Audretsch, J.H. Cawley, A. Cotten, D. DiOrio, J.A. Elston, S.J. Gould, L.J. Henderson, D.T. Levy, A. Lyles, M. Oblak, K.R. Stanton, F. Sussan, P.E. Wilde

This conference continued building on our successful media workshop, “The Infrastructure of Obesity” and Rosenberg Dialogue Series, “Addressing the Obesity Crisis” in 2004. In the midst of widespread reports that more than half of all Americans are in danger of becoming obese over the next decade, public health officials, consumers and food producers are trying to identify the root causes of the nation’s obesity pandemic. The University of Baltimore has undertaken a campus-wide initiative to examine the real world costs, causes and potential solutions of this complicated issue.

As a part of this event, we also released the 2nd Annual University of Baltimore Obesity Report Card that ranked states on their efforts to address the obesity epidemic through legislation such as mandating additional recess and physical education time. In 2004, Maryland (which ranked 25th in obesity prevalence) was one of 9 states to receive a grade of “C”. When first released in the summer of 2004, our Obesity Report Card received national press attention.

The all day events included an academic workshop and luncheon. We were honored to have Secretary Anthony McCann from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as the luncheon keynote speaker.

The Schools of Law, Business and Public Policy

The reality of the obesity epidemic demands more than a purely medical approach. The University of Baltimore with its combination of programs in Law, Business, Liberal Arts and Public Policy and a history of interdisciplinary collaboration is particularly suited to pursue the business and social aspects of the obesity epidemic. UB is supporting this research on the tripod of the three schools.

The Strength of the Faculty

UB has nationally recognized faculty in the fields of law, business, and public policy who are already working collaboratively across disciplines and schools on obesity research, education, and fundraising efforts.

Current members of the research team include nationally recognized UB faculty members who have clearly demonstrated expertise in areas relevant to addressing the obesity problem. Among the team members are the following internationally recognized individuals:

Zoltan Acs
Professor Emeritus, Economics
B.A., Cleveland State University
M.A., Ph.D., New School for Social Research

José Anderson
Director, Stephen L. Snyder Center for Litigation Skills and the Litigation Skills Program
B.A., J.D., University of Maryland

John J. Callahan

Ann Cotten
Director, Schaefer Center for Public Policy
M.S., D.P.A., University of Baltimore

Michael V. Laric
Director, Division of Management & Marketing
Marketing B.A., M.A., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Ph.D., City University of New York

Lee Richardson Jr.
Professor, Marketing
B.S.B.A., University of Richmond
MBA, Emory University
D.B.A., University of Colorado

David T. Levy
Professor, Economics
B.A., Michigan State University
M.A., Ph.D., University of California

C. Alan Lyles
Associate Professor, Government & Public Administration
B.A., Loyola College
B.S., Towson State University
B.S., University of Maryland
M.P.H., Sc.D., Johns Hopkins University

Kenneth Richard Stanton
Assistant Professor, Finance
B.A., University of Western Ontario
MBA, University of Rochester
Ph.D., York University

David Stevens
Director, Jacob France Institute
B.S., California State University
M.S., Ph.D., University of Colorado


Calendar

February 2004

  • February 11, 2004: Addressing the Obesity Crisis

August 2004

  • First (2004) UB Obesity Report Card and UB State Obesity Maps released

May 2005

  • May 3, 2005: Obesity Conference: Business and Public Policy Issues
  • 2005 UB Obesity Report Card and UB State Obesity Maps released
  • 2006 UB Obesity Report Card and Maps released