Childhood obesity rates have skyrocketed in California. Thirty-one percent of adolescents ages 12- to 17-years-old, and one-in-three California children ages 9-11 years old, are at risk of or are already overweight. A combination of poor diet and lack of physical activity has caused these children to be at greater risk for the onset of major chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer, when reaching adulthood. Research has indicated that the widespread availability and relatively low cost of junk food, especially soda, in schools has contributed significantly to the rise of obesity.

In response, The California Endowment has supported policy and advocacy organizations such as the Public Health Institute, California Center for Public Health Advocacy  and California Project LEAN to initiate and implement efforts to inform key policymakers and community leaders about this crisis and the factors that contribute to its escalation. 

The successful work of these organizations has helped lead to the adoption of state and local policies to reduce the availability of unhealthy foods and beverages on school campuses, and improve school-based nutrition and exercise programs.

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ENACT Local Policy Database Now Online

Prevention Institute, with funding from The California Endowment, is pleased to announce that the Environmental Nutrition and Activity Local Policy Database is available online. The searchable database is designed to provide community advocates, health professionals, policymakers and those working in related fields with concrete examples of local-level policies that have been adopted and/or implemented to improve nutrition and physical activity environments. From joint use agreements to formula restaurant ordinances, we hope to capture what cities, counties, special districts, regional bodies and school districts are doing to make healthy eating and activity a more realistic option.