Legal Strategies in Childhood Obesity Prevention Workshop Summary (2011) / Chapter Skim
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8 Other State and Local Obesity Prevention Strategies
8 Other State and Local Obesity Prevention Strategies
Pages 61-70
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From page 61... ...
A final panel at the workshop examined a variety of legal strategies that states and localities can use to prevent obesity in addition to those discussed in earlier sessions, ranging from menu labeling, to programs for small employers, to child care guidelines. These strategies can be undertaken by a variety of actors -- the presenters on this panel were a local public health agency official, an attorney general, and a child care researcher.
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From page 62... ...
The county chose menu labeling as an initiative for several reasons: the obesity issue has high visibility; the leadership of the local board of health decided to take a more activist stance on the problem; a political consensus to take action was forming; menu labeling is an easier step to take than many others; and it avoids the "nanny state" criticism, since it simply provides customers with information they may need to make their own choices. Also, evidence available at the time justified the choice, although the evidence still is not conclusive.
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From page 63... ...
A new director arrived at the health department who was supportive of menu labeling, and the county council adopted a board of health resolution supporting policies to promote healthy eating and active living. An ad hoc committee of the board of health was thereby empowered to advise the board to adopt a menu labeling regulation, which was passed in July 2007.
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From page 64... ...
In Washington State, a state-level growth management act requires multicounty units to set guidelines for planning policies, after which each county develops countywide guidelines. These guidelines ultimately influence the comprehensive plans that lay out the zoning and other regulations that affect land use at the city and county levels.
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From page 65... ...
The county will be working to increase access to healthier foods by supporting urban farmers, particularly in low-income communities; by promoting healthy food in retail outlets through food financing initiatives; by using government procurement policies to buy healthier foods; and by reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. The county also will be increasing opportunities for physical activity through local planning, joint-use agreements, and increased access to recreational activities in low-income communities (see Chapter 6)
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From page 66... ...
And with 14 to 18 new attorneys general coming into office in the 2010 election cycle, it is a good time to promote the issue at the state level. The Vermont report will contain proposals on beverage taxes, school lunch programs, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and lowinterest loans to small retailers to make healthier foods available.
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From page 67... ...
For family child care homes, intervals between visits range from 6 months to 10 years. Benjamin Neelon presented six issues for states to consider in setting child care regulations designed to prevent obesity: • Identify best practices -- States often ask about the evidence to sup port establishment of a regulation.
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From page 68... ...
Benjamin Neelon emphasized that a strong evaluation component is necessary to understand the effectiveness of such new standards and regulations. Benjamin Neelon explained the actions of New York City and Delaware creating additional regulations by noting that, except for the standards covering federally funded programs such as CACFP and Head Start, there are no national standards for nutrition and physical activity for young children.
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From page 69... ...
Joseph Thompson, member of the Standing Committee on Childhood Obesity Prevention and moderator of the session, pointed out that combating obesity requires a multisector approach in which many organizations and individuals are involved. Russell Pate asked about the "price sensitivity issue" in child care.
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