141st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

285646
Opportunities and challenges in facilitating a successful food and fitness policy council to promote local policy, systems and environmental changes


Monday, November 4, 2013

Dawn Olcott, MS, Cambridge Public Health Department, Cambridge, MA
Josefine Wendel, MS, RD, LDN, Cambridge Public Health Department, Cambridge, MA
Susan Breen, MS, RN, Division of Public Health Nursing Services, Cambridge Public Health Department, Cambridge, MA
Claude-Alix Jacob, MPH, Cambridge Public Health Department, Cambridge, MA
Emily Bhargava, MA, Connection Lab, Somerville, MA
  
The creation of a healthy food and fitness environment with supporting policy, systems and environmental changes is an important strategy for preventing obesity and chronic disease, particularly for low-income populations. Food and fitness policy councils are increasingly at the forefront in facilitating policy, systems and environmental change on the local level.

In 2011, Cambridge convened a citywide Food and Fitness Policy Council to create a strategic direction and enhance citywide policy, systems and environmental changes through a collaborative approach. This advisory council, appointed by the City Manager, is facilitated by public health staff and includes city department staff, community-based organizations, and residents.

Through a facilitated consensus building process, the council developed a logic model and “Roadmap” with strategies and projected outcomes, has established work groups, and plans to roll out the “Roadmap” citywide. The “Roadmap” will build on the strong foundation that already exists in Cambridge and build on success through enhanced collaboration and a common vision.

The presentation will include the facilitated consensus building process in creating the “Roadmap”, coalition building, and initial outcomes of the collaboration. This session will provide perspective on opportunities and challenges in facilitating a successful municipal and community-based Food and Fitness Policy Council.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Assess feasibility and benefits of a food and fitness policy council Discuss the role of city government in facilitating policy, systems, and environmental change Identify opportunities and challenges in establishing consensus regarding food and fitness policy.

Keyword(s): Collaboration, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: In my position of nutritionist at the Cambridge Public Health Department, with a role in promoting healthy eating and fitness in Cambridge in regard to policy, practices, and environmental and systems change, I am the facilitator of the Cambridge Food and Fitness Policy Council.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3402.0: Systems, Policy, and Environmental Interventions