CDC Overweight and Obesity (Nutrition and Physical Activity) Update

[Howard Hartman]

CDC Report Highlights Lack of Healthy Food Environments for Children	April 26, 2011

More Support Needed in Communities Communities can influence children's diets by ensuring that nutritious, healthy food choices are accessible in their areas.  The 2011 Children's Food Environment State Indicator Report and National Action Guide, newly released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  includes data about food access, regulations, and policies that may improve childhood obesity. Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia scored at or below the national average for the number of healthier food retailers using a new index developed by CDC.  The new Modified Retail Food Environment Index (mRFEI) measures the number of healthy and unhealthy food retailers using a single number. Scores can range from 0 (no food retailers that typically sell healthier foods) to 100 (only food retailers that typically sell healthier foods).  States with lower mRFEI scores have more retailers such as fast-food restaurants that tend to sell less healthy foods, and fewer food retailers such as supermarkets that sell healthier foods. Communities can assess their retail environment to better understand the current landscape and differences in accessing healthier foods. See Healthier Food Retail: Beginning the Assessment Process in Your State or Community. Communities can also provide incentives to existing supermarkets and farmers' markets to establish their businesses in low-income areas and to offer healthier foods. See Improving Access to Healthy Food – PolicyLink and The Food Trust. “To feed their children healthy food at home, parents must have ready access to stores that sell affordable, healthy food.” said William Dietz, Director of CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Additionally, communities can expand programs that bring local fruits and vegetables to schools. See Creating a Healthy Food Zone Around Schools – NPLAN More Information View the full report CDC's Childhood Obesity Strategies and Solutions CDC's State-based Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity CDC's Communities Putting Prevention to Work CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) focuses on changing our communities into places that support healthy eating and active living.  DNPAO's primary activities change places and policies influencing obesity-related behaviors, healthy eating and active living in many settings.

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