Just For Fun
The Loopholes of Food Labeling Learn more about the latest buzz words in food marketing
Quiz: Which Food Has More Sodium? This 10-question quiz from ABC News compares surprising salt levels in various popular foods.
Resources
New Tools for Healthier Schools from Public Health Law and Policy
- Model PTA childhood obesity prevention resolution
- Water Access in Schools model wellness policy language
- Drinking water access in schools fact sheet
Map the Meal – Check out each Oregon county’s hunger data and average cost per meal. Wheeler county leads with an average meal cost that is nearly double that of the state.
The CDC Healthy Communities Program announces new, user-friendly web pages for the CHANGE Tool. Check out the CHANGE Tool Resources in Spanish.
Preventing and Managing Chronic Disease to Improve the Health of Women and Infants This fact sheet highlights the burden and effects of chronic disease and related risk factors on reproductive aged women and on their pregnancy outcomes. It also includes steps women can take to improve their health, related CDC activities, and additional resources.
Articles & Reports
Children’s Food Environment State Indicator Report, CDC, April 26, 2011 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.
- Communities can assess their retail environment to better understand the current landscape and differences in accessing healthier foods. Healthier Food Retail: Beginning the Assessment Process in Your State or Community.
- Communities can provide incentives to existing supermarkets and farmers’ markets to establish their businesses in low-income areas and to offer healthier foods. Improving Access to Healthy Food – PolicyLink and The Food Trust.
- Communities, child care facilities and schools all have roles to play to improve children’s food choices and influences.
- Communities can expand programs that bring local fruits and vegetables to schools. Creating a Healthy Food Zone Around Schools – NPLAN
The FTC released proposed principles for food marketing to children. The proposed principles are designed to encourage stronger and more meaningful self-regulation by the food industry and to support parents’ efforts to get their kids to eat healthier foods. These principles would apply to marketing to children age 2 to 17, and would go into effect by 2016.
- Read more from the FTC
- Read Marion Nestle’s commentary
- Read the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s statement
- Read the New York Times article
- Read the TIME Healthland article
Food Marketing to Kids Goes Viral, Food Politics, April 22, 2011 Marion Nestle reviews how food companies are using multimedia, including online games, quizzes and cellphone apps to build deep ties with young consumers. Children share messages through email and social networks, effectively acting as marketers.
- The New York Times has more on why obesity experts are concerned with advertising through new media.
- And the Public Health Law Network explains takes up the question of parental responsibility vs. food industry responsibility.
USDA issued a new memo providing guidance to school districts on implementing provisions in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, specifically the new milk requirements. School districts must offer at least two choices of milk that are fat-free or low-fat. Read more about the new milk guidelines at the Let’s Move! Blog or about the chocolate milk debate in the Washington Post.
Geographic Price Variations Affects Consumption of Nutritious Food in Children, RAND Corporation, February 2011 This study suggests that geography plays a role in the consumption of fruit, vegetables, and milk in children. The findings also show that there is less price variation or price sensitivity when it comes to consumption of fast food and soft drinks.
Eighty Years Along, A Longevity Study Still Has Ground to Cover, New York Times, April 19, 2011 In a study covering eight decades so far, researchers find that the key traits to a long life are prudence and persistence.
To Get Americans Healthier, U.S. Targets the Heart, Health Day, April 22, 2011 People urged to eat better, exercise more before risk factors develop.
Making Schools Healthier, Increasing Access to Fresh, Local Produce Highest Priorities, National Conference of State Legislatures, April 2011 More states took legislative action to address nutrition, physical activity and physical education in schools in 2010 than in 2009. State legislative action also increased around farm-to-school programs and farmers’ markets, including efforts to make it easier for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to use their benefits to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Read the full report for more information on the specific policies states passed.
Pushing Healthy Lifestyle Cuts Risk of Chronic Disease for Blacks: Study HealthDay, April 25, 2011 A program promoting exercise and other healthy lifestyle habits that can help prevent chronic disease proved effective for black American couples in which one partner has HIV and the other does not.
Research in Brief from the CDC:
- PRCs and Minority Health A snapshot of Director of CDC’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity commends the Prevention Research Centers during National Minority Health Month.
- PRCs Support National Nutrition Month A selection of PRC research on policy and environmental strategies to promote food nutrition.
