Societal changes appear to be causing poorer eating and exercise practices in children and youth, leading to under-nutrition, overweight and the early appearance of chronic disease risk factors. For many children, there also may be a diminished ability to do well in school. In late 1998 the California Nutrition Network, a Food Stamp social marketing initiative led by the state health department, partnered through the Public Health Institute with the California Elected Women’s Association for Education and Research and the California Department of Education to enlist the aid of local school board members. Initial activities included school district self-assessments, training, and the development of model local policies aligned with national recommendations from CDC, NASBE and USDA, among others. In late 2000, the project evolved to co-sponsor a Healthy School and Community Environment Summit that attracted over 600 conferees. Policy papers were debated that proposed solutions in the areas of healthy food choices, nutrition education, food and beverage promotion and advertising, physical activity, time and facilities, food programs, and communities/local government. Along with other local and state-level activities, this work resulted in leadership being assumed by key members of three legislative committees. This paper will describe the factors that policy makers were interested in, the coalition that formed, and bills/other policy activity that occur in 2001. This leadership model may be helpful to advocates for child nutrition and physical activity in other states. See www.caelectedwomen.org, www.phi.org, www.ca5aday.com.
See www.Caelectedwomen.org; www.phi.org; www.ca5aday.com
Learning Objectives: After this session, the participant will be able to: 1. Describe projects that lead to legislative and policy maker concerns about nutrition/physical activity. 2. Identify policy solutions that are likely to be endorsed by a broad cross-section of child/youth advocates, including elected officials and agriculture. 3. Identify divisive issues among stakeholders that any such coalition may face, ways to reach agreement and how irreconcilable differences might be handled.
Keywords: Child/Adolescent, Nutrition
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.