Leadership for Healthy Communities

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Based in Washington, D.C., Leadership for Healthy Communities is a $10-million national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation designed to engage and support local and state government leaders nationwide in their efforts to advance public policies that support healthier communities and prevent childhood obesity. The program places an emphasis on policies with the greatest potential for increasing sustainable opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating among children at highest risk for obesity, including African-American, Latino, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian-American and Pacific Islander children living in lower-income communities. The foundation's primary goal is the reversal of the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015.

Contents

The program awards grants to influential policy-maker organizations that provide technical assistance to state and local policy-makers who are poised to prevent childhood obesity through public policy levers. Current grantees of the national program include the American Association of School Administrators, International City/County Management Association, Local Government Commission, Council of State Governments, National Association of Counties, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, National Association of State Boards of Education, National Conference of State Legislatures, National League of Cities, National School Boards Association and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Leadership for Healthy Communities also has worked with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the National Congress of American Indians to address childhood obesity in the African-American and American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Philosophy

Leadership for Healthy Communities believes that policy action can help expand opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods in schools and communities. The guiding principle of this program is that initiatives led by policy-makers and community leaders at all levels play an important role in supporting healthy children. By highlighting policies and programs that can impact the health of children in schools and communities, Leadership for Healthy Communities and grantees of the program encourage policy-makers to collaborate to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic and create healthier environments.

Leadership

Since 2007, the Leadership for Healthy Communities national program has been led by Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings. She is the CEO of the Washington, DC–based social-change policy firm, Global Policy Solutions.

History

Previously known as Leadership for Active Living and then Active Living Leadership, the Leadership for Healthy Communities national program started in 2002 and was originally managed at San Diego State University. Initial support during 2002-2003 focused on five states: California, Colorado, Kentucky, Michigan and Washington. At that time, the program was primarily a partnership effort among the International City/County Management Association, the National Association of Counties, the Local Government Commission, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, and the United States Conference of Mayors.

The childhood obesity epidemic

Over the past four decades, obesity rates have increased rapidly among all age groups. Today, nearly one third of children and adolescents in the United States are either overweight or obese. [1] According to a national poll, parents now rank childhood obesity as the number one potential threat to their children's health—topping drugs, alcohol and tobacco use. [2]

Other studies have found that obese children and adolescents are much more likely to become obese adults. In fact, an obese 4-year-old has a 20 percent chance of becoming an obese adult, and an obese older teenager has up to an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult. [3] [4] In addition, obese children and adolescents are often targets of social discrimination and at greater risk for a host of other serious illnesses, including heart disease, asthma and type 2 diabetes. [5] As more children become obese, type 2 diabetes—a disease that was once called "adult-onset diabetes" and can lead to blindness, loss of feeling and circulation in the extremities, amputations and death—is found in younger and younger age groups. [6]

The financial consequences also are significant—obesity costs the United States $117 billion each year in direct medical expenses and indirect costs, such as lost productivity. [7]

The medical costs of obesity outweighs the cost of eating healthy, maintaining physical activity, and educating the population for this increasing problem occurring in today's' society.

Environmental factors that influence childhood obesity

Research has found that many children do not have regular opportunities to be physically active or access to healthy foods. Moreover, the environmental barriers to healthy behaviors are even larger in lower-income areas. Lower-income communities are significantly less likely to have places where people can be physically active, such as parks, green spaces, and bicycle paths and lanes. [8] And although easy access to supermarkets that offer fresh fruits and vegetables is associated with lower body mass index, [9] many neighborhoods in racial and ethnic minority, lower-income and rural areas tend to have more fast-food restaurants and convenience stores and fewer grocery stores than predominantly white, higher-income areas. [10] Consequently, although obesity affects people of all demographics, the prevalence rates are more alarming for racial and ethnic minorities, lower-income families and people in the Southeast region of the United States (seven of the states with the highest poverty rates are also in the top 10 states with the highest obesity rates). [11] [12] [13]

Other important factors that researchers say have contributed to the childhood obesity epidemic are fewer hours of physical activity and an increase of junk foods in schools. Fewer than 4 percent of elementary schools provide the weekly recommended 150 minutes of physical education to all students for the full school year. [14] At the same time, while most schools that sell à la carte and snack foods offer some nutritious food and beverage options, less nutritious alternatives also are common. For example, in one study, 70 percent of the beverage options available in vending machines were high in sugar, only 12 percent of the beverage slots were for water, and only 5 percent were for milk. [15]

Leadership for Healthy Communities Action Strategies Toolkit

The national program office and its grantees have publish a variety of fact sheets, policy briefs, reports, tools and other documents and databases dealing with childhood obesity issues, model policies and health disparities among vulnerable populations. The Leadership for Healthy Communities Action Strategies Toolkit was released during Leadership for Healthy Communities' 2009 Childhood Obesity Prevention Summit in Washington, D.C. The toolkit is a collection of policy options and resources designed to help state and local policy-makers prevent childhood obesity by developing healthier environments. The strategies within the toolkit—which focus on increasing opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods in schools and communities—have been identified, evaluated and selected by Leadership for Healthy Communities and 11 participating policy-maker organizations representing state, local and school district decision-makers.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obesity</span> Medical condition in which excess body fat harms health

Obesity is a medical condition, sometimes considered a disease, in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that it can potentially have negative effects on health. People are classified as obese when their body mass index (BMI)—a person's weight divided by the square of the person's height—is over 30 kg/m2; the range 25–30 kg/m2 is defined as overweight. Some East Asian countries use lower values to calculate obesity. Obesity is a major cause of disability and is correlated with various diseases and conditions, particularly cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Preventive healthcare</span> Prevention of the occurrence of diseases

Preventive healthcare, or prophylaxis, is the application of healthcare measures to prevent diseases. Disease and disability are affected by environmental factors, genetic predisposition, disease agents, and lifestyle choices, and are dynamic processes that begin before individuals realize they are affected. Disease prevention relies on anticipatory actions that can be categorized as primal, primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Food policy</span> Area of public policy

Food policy is the area of public policy concerning how food is produced, processed, distributed, purchased, or provided. Food policies are designed to influence the operation of the food and agriculture system balanced with ensuring human health needs. This often includes decision-making around production and processing techniques, marketing, availability, utilization, and consumption of food, in the interest of meeting or furthering social objectives. Food policy can be promulgated on any level, from local to global, and by a government agency, business, or organization. Food policymakers engage in activities such as regulation of food-related industries, establishing eligibility standards for food assistance programs for the poor, ensuring safety of the food supply, food labeling, and even the qualifications of a product to be considered organic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Childhood obesity</span> Obesity in children

Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health or well-being. As methods to determine body fat directly are difficult, the diagnosis of obesity is often based on BMI. Due to the rising prevalence of obesity in children and its many adverse health effects it is being recognized as a serious public health concern. The term overweight rather than obese is often used when discussing childhood obesity, as it is less stigmatizing, although the term overweight can also refer to a different BMI category. The prevalence of childhood obesity is known to differ by sex and gender.

Nutrition transition is the shift in dietary consumption and energy expenditure that coincides with economic, demographic, and epidemiological changes. Specifically the term is used for the transition of developing countries from traditional diets high in cereal and fiber to more Western-pattern diets high in sugars, fat, and animal-source food.

Obesity in Mexico is a relatively recent phenomenon, having been widespread since the 1980s with the introduction of ultra-processed food into much of the Mexican food market. Prior to that, dietary issues were limited to under and malnutrition, which is still a problem in various parts of the country. Following trends already ongoing in other parts of the world, Mexicans have been foregoing the traditional Mexican diet high in whole grains, fruits, legumes and vegetables in favor of a diet with more animal products and ultra-processed foods. It has seen dietary energy intake and rates of overweight and obese people rise with seven out of ten at least overweight and a third clinically obese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obesity in the United States</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obesity in China</span> Overview of obesity in the Peoples Republic of China

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HealthCorps, Inc. is an American nonprofit organization that provides school-based and organizational health education and peer mentoring, in addition to community outreach to underserved populations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lack of physical education</span> Inadequate provision and effectiveness of physical education in schools

Lack of physical education is the inadequacy of the provision and effectiveness of exercise and physical activity within modern education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Move!</span> Public health campaign in the United States

Let's Move! was a public health campaign in the United States led by former First Lady Michelle Obama. The campaign aimed to reduce childhood obesity and encourage a healthy lifestyle in children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obesity in the Middle East and North Africa</span>

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Nutrition education is a combination of learning experiences designed to teach individuals or groups about the principles of a balanced diet, the importance of various nutrients, how to make healthy food choices, and how both dietary and exercise habits can affect overall well-being. It includes a combination of educational strategies, accompanied by environmental supports, designed to facilitate voluntary adoption of food choices and other nutrition-related behaviors conducive to well-being. Nutrition education is delivered through multiple venues and involves activities at the individual, community, and policy levels. Nutrition Education also critically looks at issues such as food security, food literacy, and food sustainability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Virginia Healthy Lifestyles Act of 2005</span>

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Childhood obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 96th percentile for children of the same age and sex. It can cause a variety of health problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, breathing problems, sleeping problems, and joint problems later in life. Children who are obese are at a greater risk for social and psychological problems as well, such as peer victimization, increased levels of aggression, and low self-esteem. Many environmental and social factors have been shown to correlate with childhood obesity, and researchers are attempting to use this knowledge to help prevent and treat the condition. When implemented early, certain forms of behavioral and psychological treatment can help children regain and/or maintain a healthy weight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EPODE International Network</span> International nonprofit organization

EPODE International Network (EIN) is a not for profit, non-governmental organisation that seeks to support childhood obesity-prevention programmes across the world, via best practice sharing and capacity building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obesity and the environment</span> Overview of environmental factors affecting the incidence of obesity

Obesity and the environment aims to look at the different environmental factors that researchers worldwide have determined cause and perpetuate obesity. Obesity is a condition in which a person's weight is higher than what is considered healthy for their height, and is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Obesity can result from several factors such as poor nutritional choices, overeating, genetics, culture, and metabolism. Many diseases and health complications are associated with obesity. Worldwide, the rates of obesity have nearly tripled since 1975, leading health professionals to label the condition as a modern epidemic in most parts of the world. Current worldwide population estimates of obese adults are near 13%; overweight adults total approximately 39%.

Mary Story is Professor of Global Health and Community and Family Medicine, and director of Education and Training, Duke Global Health Institute at Duke University. Dr. Story is a leading scholar on child and adolescent nutrition and child obesity prevention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Childhood obesity in Australia</span> Overview of childhood obesity in Australia

Obesity is defined as the excessive accumulation of fat and is predominantly caused when there is an energy imbalance between calorie consumption and calorie expenditure. Childhood obesity is becoming an increasing concern worldwide, and Australia alone recognizes that 1 in 4 children are either overweight or obese.

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References

  1. ↑ 4. Ogden C, Carroll M and Flegal K. "High body mass index for age among us children and adolescents. 2003-2006." Journal of the American Medical Association, 299(20): 2401-2405, May 2008.
  2. ↑ 5. "Obesity Tops List of Biggest Health Problems For Kids in 2008," Ann Arbor, MI: C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, the University of Michigan Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, and the University of Michigan Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit, 4(2), July 14, 2008. Available at health.med.umich.edu/workfiles/npch/20080714-topten-report.pdf.
  3. ↑ 6. Prevention of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity." American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Nutrition, Pediatrics, 112(2):424-430, August 2003.
  4. ↑ 7. Guo SS and Chumlea WC. "Tracking of Body Mass Index in Children in Relation to Overweight in Adulthood." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 70(1):145S-148S, July 1999.
  5. ↑ 8. Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Overweight and Obesity: Consequences. May 28, 2009. Available at www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/consequences.html
  6. ↑ 9. Must A and Anderson S. "Effects of Obesity on Morbidity in Children and Adolescents." Nutrition in Clinical Care, 6(1): 4–11, January–April, 2003.
  7. ↑ 10. Preventing Obesity and Chronic Diseases Through Good Nutrition and Physical Activity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005. Available at www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/factsheets/Prevention/obesity.htm.
  8. ↑ 11. Powell L, Slater S and Chaloupka F. "The Relationship Between Community Physical Activity Settings and Race, Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status." Evidence-based Preventive Medicine, 1(2):135-144, March 2004.
  9. ↑ 12. Larson N, Story M and Nelson M. "Neighborhood Environments Disparities in Access to Healthy Foods in the U.S," Am J Prev Med, 36(1), January 2009
  10. ↑ 13. Morland K, Diez Roux A and Wing S. "Supermarkets, Other Food Stores, and Obesity he Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study," Am J Prev Med, 30(4), April 2006
  11. ↑ 14. Ogden C, Caroll M, and Flegal K. "High Body Mass Index for Age Among U.S. Children and Adolescents, 2003-2006." Journal of the American Medical Association, 299(20): 2401-2405, May 2008.
  12. ↑ 15. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. The National Survey of Children's Health, 2003. Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005.
  13. ↑ 16. Levi J, Gadola E and Segal L. F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America 2007. Washington: Trust for America's Health, August 2007. Available at http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2007/Obesity2007Report.pdf.
  14. ↑ 17. SHPPS 2006: School Health Policies and Programs Study, Overview. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007. Available at www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/shpps/2006/factsheets/pdf/FS_Overview_SHPPS2006.pdf.
  15. ↑ 18. Dispensing Junk: How School Vending Undermines Efforts to Feed Children Well. Washington: Center for Science in the Public Interest, 2004. Available at www.cspinet.org/new/pdf/dispensing_junk.pdf.
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