Policymakers and obesity prevention: Findings from a statewide survey

California has led the way with a policy and systems change response to the epidemic. What is perhaps most unique about our response is the emphasis on changing community food and physical activity environments for obesity prevention. Elected and appointed officials at the local, state and Federal level are central to the policy and systems change approach, but in advance of policy decisions little is known about what they think about these strategies and which ones they support and or oppose. The purpose of the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP)/Healthy Eating Active Communities (HEAC) Policymaker survey was to find out. The survey was conducted by Field Research with funding from The California Endowment with the assistance of the League of California Cities, California State Association of Counties and the California School Boards Association. The survey was mailed and sent by email in early 2010 to local, state, and Federal policy makers and school board members in fourteen counties in California targeted for intervention by HEAC and CCROPP. The session will report results of the study including policy maker perceptions of the obesity epidemic and support for policy proposals to improve nutrition and physical activity environments for obesity prevention. Findings from the survey are useful for guiding policymaker education and planning efforts for obesity prevention and building healthier communities.