Communities Putting Prevention to Work in Santa Clara County, California: Preventing Obesity through City and Organizational Policies

INTRODUCTION. Over half of adults and a quarter of youth in Santa Clara County are overweight or obese, which may in part be attributable to limited access to healthy food and physical activity. As part of Santa Clara's CPPW obesity prevention initiative, cities and community organizations in the county were offered grant support, training, and technical assistance to develop policies that promote healthy eating and active living. Collectively, these policies have the potential to impact residents that are hardest hit by obesity.

METHODS. As part of the CPPW evaluation, policy development across various organizations and cities was tracked and analyzed. Evaluators conducted key informant interviews with city and organizational policymakers to learn about the policy development process, and then performed observational assessments in food and physical activity environments that were improved through policy.

RESULTS. Preliminary findings suggest that organizations and cities have identified promising policy strategies that are worthy of replication in other jurisdictions. A range of policies such as nutrition standards, sugar sweetened beverage pricing mechanisms, inclusion of a health element in the general plan, required acceptance of EBT at farmers markets, and active transportation strategies are being pursued. Critical components of success include utilization of collaborative partnerships, access to model policies, promotion by local champions, funding support, technical assistance, and training.

DISCUSSION. Policy is an important vehicle for increasing access to healthy foods and physical activity. The subgranting of CPPW funds to cities helped local communities pursue obesity related policies and may ultimately lead to sustainable environmental changes.