The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71873

T. Llanes, MS, RD¹, David Quackenbush¹, S.B. Foerster, MPH, RD¹, and F. Buck, MSW². (1) California Department of Health Services, Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section, PO Box 942732, MS 662, 601 N. 7th Street, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, (916)323-0594, Tllanes@dhs.ca.gov, (2) Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section, California Department of Health Services, PO Box 942732, MS 662, 601 N. 7th Street, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320

The Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section developed a novel approach to setting and implementing policy priorities to reach their program goals. Policy Action Teams (PATs) were convened in six areas: 1) 5 A Day; 2) Children and Youth; 3) Health Disparities; 4) Food Assistance; 5) Physical Activity and; 6) Adults. Each group was composed of partners from the California Nutrition Network for Healthy, Active Families, California 5 Day-For Better Health Campaign and advocates/experts in each of the subject areas. Their purpose was to recommend policy measures that advance healthy eating, physical activity, and participation in federal food assistance programs thereby reducing overweight, obesity, and the chronic diseases associated with overweight and obesity in Californians. PATs established the following priorities in 2002-2003: 1. Establish a “Healthy Eating and Active Living” public trust fund to secure donations and/or contributions for the promotion of fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity. 2. Create and adopt nutrition policies and standards that include fruit and vegetable consumption for all foods sold on campus. 3. Develop appropriate resources to plan, create and roll out the African American and Latino 5 a Day Campaigns. 4. Set goals and achieve maximum participation in USDA programs for nutrition assistance including Food Stamps, School Lunch, School Breakfast, etc. 5. Require inclusion of information and application materials for Public Health and Food Assistance programs at employer worksites and in employee information packets. 6. Indemnify from liability claims, individuals and organizations that provide physical activity time and space to their employees/customers.

Learning Objectives:

"At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• List five policy action areas to address overweight in their communities,
• Describe the steps to convening a Policy Action Team, 3. Develop policy priorities to address overweight and obesity using input from Policy Actions Teams."

Keywords: Obesity, Public Health Policy

Related Web page: www.dhs.ca.gov/cpns/policy.html

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.