Childhood Obesity Weekly Policy Update

 

 

 

 

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Childhood Obesity Weekly Policy Update

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Federal

Half-Million Unemployed Americans Lose SNAP Eligibility

More than 500,000 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries were rendered ineligible for the program on April 1 when restrictions on eligibility were reinstituted in 40 states. A federal law enacted in 1996 limited the timeframe of SNAP benefits to certain unemployed adults though many states had waived this limit in recent years due to persistently high unemployment.

 

 

 

State and Local

New Mexico Health Department Reports Childhood Obesity Decline

Obesity rates among third-graders and kindergarteners in New Mexico have declined by 16.4 percent and 10.6 percent, respectively, since 2010, according to a report from the state’s health department. The report notes that declines have been documented among both White and American Indian children, though Hispanic students—the majority of the school-age population—have experienced little decline. 

 

 

 

Bill to Limit Sugary Drinks in State-Funded Child Care Facilities Advances in Connecticut

A bill (HB 5303) that would prohibit state-funded child care facilities from serving sugar-sweetened drinks to all children, and serving juice to children under age 1, has been approved by the Connecticut General Assembly’s education committee. The bill would also require that child care centers make drinking water available throughout the day, including during all meals. 

 

 

From the Field

 

Research Brief Examines Characters, Mascots in Food Marketing to Kids

Brand mascots and media characters are used in marketing foods and beverages to children—often for products that are unhealthy, according to a review from Healthy Eating Research funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The brief notes that while some progress has been made by food, beverage, restaurant, and entertainment companies to ensure that brand mascots and licensed media characters are used to promote healthier foods, beverages, and meals, significant opportunities for improvement still exist.

 

 

Promoting Healthy Weight Starts During Infant, Toddler Years

Interventions to promote healthy weight should include strategies tailored to children between ages 0 and 2, according to a policy brief from the Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut. The brief recommends serving healthy foods and beverages, increasing physical activity, and eliminating screen time in childcare settings, as well as supporting breastfeeding in hospitals and childcare settings.

 

 

 

Articles of Interest

Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going to Give Children a Healthy Start

RWJF Culture of Health blog, Jamie Bussel, 4/5/16

We want all kids to enter kindergarten at a healthy weight. And we believe it’s possible within the decade.

 

 

 

Eating Right at School (Op-ed)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Tazeen Chowdhury, 3/26/16

In Mt. Lebanon, we’ve been able to meet the updated nutrition standards while maintaining a high student participation rate because we’re doing our best to find creative ways to offer students healthier versions of their favorite entrees. 

 

 

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Surgeon General's Call to Action - Walking as a Practice
April 14, 2016
3:00 p.m. ET

Hosted by America Walks, this webinar will examine the Surgeon General's Call to Action on Walking & Walkable Communities. Register for the webinar.

Call for Proposals: Healthy Eating Research: Building Evidence to Prevent Childhood Obesity
May 11, 2016 (concept papers deadline)

Administered by Healthy Eating Research, this call for proposals (CFP) is for awards aimed at providing advocates, decision-makers, and policymakers with evidence to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic. Learn more about the CFP. 

 

 

 

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