Preventing Obesity by Acting Locally

The recent and exploding epidemic of child obesity is upon us. Obesity among teens is more than three and a half times more prevalent than three decades ago. The solution is multifaceted, but local government action is essential according to an Institute of Medicine Committee convened in 2008 to focus on preventative actions for local governments.

Jim Krieger, MD, MPH, a physician and member of that committee talks about how the recommendations are being implemented across the country, including in Seattle's King County, where he is the Chief of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention. Tom Forster, Policy Advisor for School Food FOCUS, talks about how federal policies, such as the Farm Bill, help and hinder food systems change at the local level. In the 2008 Farm Bill, Tom worked to win new community food programs as policy director of the Community Food Security Coalition

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• obesity
• health
• food
• food and health
• IATP
• Healthy Food Action