Web Links
Balance: A Report on State Action to Promote Nutrition, Increase Physical Activity and Prevent Obesity
This report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation gives an overview of state-level policies, commissions, councils and task forces focused on obesity prevention. Topics include community access to nutritious foods, the built environment, the food and beverage industry, and childhood obesity.
CSPI Nutrition Policy: Policy Options
This website offers informative and useful quizzes, models and reports relating to food policy.
Downey Obesity Report
This website is an effort to bridge the gap among the public, parents, policy-makers, the media, researchers, and the health care community. The site is not intended for any one group but to give everyone exposure to what is happening in obesity.
F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, 2006
Despite national efforts to stem the rising obesity epidemic, the rates of obesity have continued to climb. This report recommends steps to slow the obesity epidemic, including how to address health costs. This webpage also has an interactive map of the U.S. which details obesity-related information specific to each state.
Financing Childhood Obesity Prevention: Federal Funding Sources and Other Strategies
This paper explores programs that different organizations have developed to prevent and treat obesity and lists strategies for generating the funds to create, maintain and sustain these programs.
Food without Thought: How U.S. Farm Policy Contributes to Obesity
This is a summary of a fact sheet produced by IATP Environmental and Agriculture that shows how unhealthy food became more feasible over the past few decades. The report also highlights ways in which policy changes can improve our diet.
Government child obesity efforts lacking, say advertisers
Although the media and advertising companies are becoming involved in fighting the obesity epidemic, the Association of National Advertisers claims that the government is not doing nearly enough to promote healthy eating and lifestyles.
Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition: The Obesity Prevention Source, Policy and Environmental Changes
The Obesity Prevention Source is an in-depth resource for all who seek to understand the causes of obesity and reverse the epidemic of obesity in children and adults. Policy and environmental changes are the foundation of obesity prevention. The goal is to inform and empower people with science-based information about what can and must be done to prevent adult and childhood obesity; to help those who are overweight achieve a healthier weight; and ultimately, to turn back the obesity epidemic’s global spread.
Most Americans Want Public Policies to Prevent Obesity
A study shows that 85% of Americans approve of the government implementing public policies to prevent obesity, such as tax breaks for employers who offer exercise programs or facilities.
National Summit on Obesity Policy
The National Summit on Obesity Policy and created a platform for the recently formed Collaborative Campaign to End Obesity which will lobby for policy changes to reduce obesity in America.
Public Policy as a Tool in Obesity Prevention: California’s Experience
This PowerPoint examines the obesity epidemic and pushes for governmental policy changes by looking at past public health governmental interventions and suggests ways to stop the obesity epidemic.
The Politics of Obesity: Seven Steps to Government Action
Americans pride themselves on the idea of freedom and independence, but this paper examines how the government has made policies regarding private behavior in the past and subsequently shows how the current obesity epidemic is in need of such an intervention.
Recess Before Lunch Policy: Kids Play and then Eat!
The Montana Team Nutrition Program and School Nutrition Program staff can assist schools in the implementation of a Recess Before Lunch (RBL) policy.
State Sales Tax Rates for Soft Drinks and Chips/Pretzels, 2008
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation lists sales tax of soft drinks and chips/pretzels by state.
Surgeon General's Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation 2010
This is Surgeon General Regina Benjamin's plan to combat obesity in America.
USDA Nutrition Evidence Library
The library specializes in conducting systematic reviews to inform Federal nutrition policy and programs.
