The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) released the first set of comprehensive recommendations to promote healthy eating and active living and reduce the prevalence of obesity in the United States. The report contains 24 recommended obesity prevention strategies focusing on environmental and policy level change initiatives that can be implemented by local governments and school districts. To assist local governments, states, and policy makers implement the CDC recommended obesity prevention strategies and report on the associated measurements, a detailed Implementation and Measurement Guide was developed. The guide includes measurement data protocols, a listing of useful resources, and examples of communities that successfully implemented each obesity prevention strategy.
Several African-American churches in Chicago this month established farmers’ markets aimed at increasing access to healthy food options in neighborhoods that were previously designated as food deserts, the Chicago Tribune reports. Such efforts are representative of a growing national movement to promote wholesome diets and environmental consciousness within the faith community, according to a recent report by the Minnesota-based Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. Proponents say the initiatives will help address the high incidence of obesity, chronic disease and economic disparities experienced by those who live in food deserts. Click here to view the article.
The 6th annual edition of F as in Fat examines obesity trends in the United States. It assesses state and federal policies aimed at preventing or reducing obesity in children and adults and chronicles actions the federal government, states and communities nationwide are taking to address this critical health issue. Finally, it suggests ways to accelerate those efforts given the challenges of the economy and the opportunities of health reform. Click to view the full report or the executive summary.
An Op-ed written by Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson in the Mercury News comments on the American Academy of Pediatrics' policy statement on how the design of neighborhoods affect children's health. The article mentions the GHSMC Task Force as an example of how San Mateo County is taking action in making our communities healthier.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a statement calling for enhanced neighborhood access to physical activity opportunities for children through more conscientious land use design. Click here to view the full report.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) released a research brief on how federally mandated school wellness polices are being implemented by schools throughout the nation. This brief summarizes results of the preliminary evidence on the implementation of local school wellness policies in three key areas: quality, evaluation and funding of the policies; nutrition standards and nutrition education requirements; and physical activity requirements.
JointUse.org is a website created by the Joint Use Statewide Task Force (JUST) to ensure that all children have a safe space to play and be active within easy reach. The website features information on joint use policies, joint use checklist and agreement templates, funding resources, and success stories. It even has a joint use locator where you put in your address and it gives you the contact information of organizations near you that currently have joint use agreements with other organizations in their area.