Affecting nutrition-related policy change beyond the school setting

Abstract

Objective
Nutrition-related policies in schools have received a fair amount of recent attention. The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 requires school districts participating in the federal school meals programs to implement local school wellness policies It is more challenging to find information on the unique types of policies being implemented in other settings. States supported through CDC's National Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention (NPAO) program regularly compile information on the nutrition-related policy changes taking place in their states. This presentation will provide an overview of the nutrition-related policy changes that have occurred in states funded by the NPAO program.

Use of Theory or Research
NPAO uses the Social-Ecological Model as a basis.

Target Audience
The 28 NPAO-funded states report local and state level obesity-related policy changes including nutrition taking place in their states every six months via an on-line reporting tool. Few data sources collect this type of information on the types of policy work occurring in states.

Description
This presentation will describe the policy changes the states funded by NPAO have accomplished in worksite, faith-based and community settings.

Evaluation
Of the 307 policies reported for the assessment period of January 2005 to June 2007, 21% of nutrition-related policies were in settings other than schools. Examples include policies related to breastfeeding in worksites and food in child care settings.

Conclusions and Implications
Policy changes that aim to encourage healthy eating behaviors and a healthful food environment are diverse and can be found at the local and state level. This project was funded by CDC DNPAO.