Executive Summary

1.     What Results Do You Want?

State policymakers are uniquely positioned to serve the needs of both rural and urban communities in their efforts to promote health and reduce childhood overweight and obesity. A key element in implementing statewide childhood obesity prevention policies is to ensure that state efforts take into consideration, and further, local efforts taking place in communities and schools.  Policies that improve access to healthy foods, support healthy community design and require healthy school initiatives are all ways to make a significant impact on children’s’ health.  by creating environments across communities and schools where physical activity and access to healthy foods are the norm, states will decrease both the health costs and financial burden that childhood obesity generates, creating healthier, more vibrant communities for children and families. see more information on priorities and indicators.

2.     How are your kids?

In the last four decades the rate of childhood obesity has grown significantly across all age groups, quadrupling for children ages 6 to 11. in fact, today 32 percent of american children and adolescents are obese or at risk of becoming obese.  the alarming growth of childhood overweight and obesity is having an impact on all children; however, it is disproportionately impacting children of color (38.2 percent of latino children and 35.9 percent of black children ages 2 to 19 are overweight or obese, compared with 29.3 percent of white children).  learn about root causes, review childhood obesity data for your state and see guidance for setting projection and targets.

3.     What can policymakers do?

Strategies

Improve access to affordable, healthy foods.

• Incentivize private groceries moving into underserved communities.
• Provide tax credits to other retailers for offering fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Provide state funding for farmers markets.
• Support local food policies.

Support healthy school initiatives.

• Increase school wellness standards.
• Increase physical education.
• Increase nutrition education.
• Support Farm to School initiatives.

Support healthy community design.

• Implement Safe Routes to School Initiatives (SRTs).
• Support transit-oriented development.
• Support Complete Street Policies.
• Support state parks.

Success Story – California

 

4.     How Can You Ensure Success?

Guidance on successful implementation and accountability strategies to prevent childhood obesity.

5.     How Can You Sustain Success?

Guidance on financing and investing in results and financing options.