Featured Stories

 SB 1329 Hits Legislative Road Block, But Gathers Bi-Partisan Support Along the Way

SB 1329, the Healthy Food Access legislation authored by Senator Elaine Alquist, (D- San Jose) failed to pass out of the Assembly Appropriations committee on August 18 2006.

If passed, SB 1329 would have tested marketplace innovations to increase healthy food sales--particularly produce-- in low-income communities. SB 1329 would have provided start-up funds for supermarkets, small neighborhood stores and non-traditional healthy food retail projects, and provided funds for micro-enterprise retailing strategies such as mobile sales and direct farm to consumer sales. 

While SB 1329 did not pass out of its final committee, its path through the legislative process created many key opportunities to educate policy makers, create community and political awareness on the healthy food access issue, and draw together “unusual bedfellows” in support. SB 1329 accumulated the broad range support of over 25 organizations, including the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, PolicyLink, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, American Heart Association-Western States Affiliate, California Independent Growers Association, California Community Economic Development Association, Safeway, Western Growers, and a plethora of local support groups and individuals. Additionally, SB 1329 was able to fuse partisan lines and gather bi-partisan support, carrying both Republican and Democratic votes through several policy committees—a success of its own, and a promising foundation for future work on this issue.

Thank you to all the Strategic Alliance members who worked to support this important item of legislation that would have created innovative opportunities to solve the food access issue. Advocates will be regrouping over the coming months to figure out next steps on how to continue to address this issue and create viable solutions for California communities.

Anniversary of the Governor’s Summit

September 15 marks the one year anniversary of the Governor’s Action Summit on Health, Nutrition, and Obesity.  To mark the occasion, Strategic Alliance will be releasing a report outlining the progress made by the Governor and his administration over the past year.  Utilizing the ten items outlined in Strategic Alliance’s Taking Action for a Healthy California platform, the report will evaluate the progress made to create environments that support nutritious eating and regular physical activity in California.  Stay tuned to our September newsletter to learn more!

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Local Spotlight

Fresh Fruit Tuesdays

In Manhattan Beach, the local Farmer’s Market and Parks and Recreation department have teamed up to bring fresh produce to children in the city’s summer programs. Every Tuesday, staff from the Parks and Recreation Department head over to the market around closing time to collect fresh fruit and vegetables donations to deliver to several of the city’s programs for a healthy afternoon snack.  “The fresh fruit and vegetable donations are helping us show the children that these foods are better than commercial junk food that has a negative impact on their health and bodies,” said David Ibarra, senior recreation leader. (Read the article)

Congratulations to Santa Ana!

On Monday, August 21st Santa Ana City Council passed a policy that would require half of the options in city vending machines to be healthy options.  This would include the vending machines in 23 parks and community center, plus vending machines in libraries, and other city buildings.  Latino Health Access, a Strategic Alliance Steering Committee organization, was a huge advocate for the new policy.   "We don't want to be the food police," said Leah Fraser, director of policy for the local nonprofit. "But employees' only choices shouldn't be junk food."  As we've reported in previous newsletters, city-wide vending policies are a growing trend, as communities such as Santa Ana, San Jose, Chula Vista, and others, aim to improve nutrition environments.  These policies and others are housed in the Strategic Alliance ENACT Local Policy Database.  Please visit the database at www.preventioninstitute.org/sa/policies. 

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In the News

Focus on Weight Counterproductive

A study published in the June edition of Obesity concluded that media and cultural obsession with weight is counterproductive.  In fact, those messages may actually undermine motivation to adopt exercise and other healthy lifestyle habits.   

“These data suggest that our society's emphasis on weight loss rather than lifestyle change may inadvertently discourage even non-obese people from adopting or maintaining the physical activity necessary for long-term good health," said Dr. Antronette Yancey, lead author of the study and associate professor of health services at the UCLA School of Public Health.

To learn more about this study, visit http://www.ph.ucla.edu/pr/newsitem072706.html.

UC Davis Report Ranks State’s Hospitals in Supporting Breastfeeding Rates

Reducing Obesity from the Start: California Hospitals Must Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates, a recent report issued by the University of California at Davis Human Lactation Center (UCD HLC) and sponsored by the California WIC Association (CWA) compares nearly every hospital in the state in terms of the rate of new moms that exclusively breastfeed while in the hospital.

In general, the highest-scoring hospitals have implemented comprehensive policies that support exclusive breastfeeding. Suggestions include training staff in skills necessary to implement the policies, making sure exclusive breastfeeding is established soon after the baby is born, giving newborns only breast milk while in the hospital if the mother has indicated she wants to exclusively breastfeed, and allowing mom and baby to stay together and breastfeed whenever they want to do so.  To view the report, as well as other resources on hospital breastfeeding policies, http://www.calwic.org/bfreport.aspx.

Type 2 Diabetes Riskiest When it Develops in Kids

Findings from a National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease study suggests that children who develop Type 2 diabetes face a higher risk of kidney failure and early death than people who develop diabetes as adults. The study published in the July 26th edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association, involved Pima Indians in Arizona, a demographic with disproportionately high rates of diabetes.  Researchers followed 1,865 participants with Type 2 diabetes (96 with childhood onset) over a period of 15 years.  The incidence of end-stage kidney failure and death by age 55 was almost five times higher for people who developed the disease before the age of 20 than in those who developed diabetes in adulthood.

In the past Type 2 diabetes was largely an adult-onset disease.  However, poor nutrition and inactivity have increased rates of childhood-onset.  By creating opportunities for physical activity and nutrition, particularly in children’s environments, children are exposed to healthy habits that greatly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

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Resources

Explore the Active Living Network
The Active Living Network, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is an online gateway to tools and resources for promoting active living and healthy communities. Dedicated to reversing childhood obesity, the Network connects people working on local, regional and national efforts to design and build vibrant, healthy communities. It features a searchable database of innovative, real world projects in all 50 states, along with profiles of people making a difference in cities, towns and neighborhoods. Visit http://www.activeliving.org to explore the Active Living Network or read this month’s profile on Trust for Public Land president Will Rogers.

Improving School Food Environments Through District Level Policies: Findings From Six California Case Studies

A new report from Samuels and Associates presents findings from environmental assessments and stakeholder interviews in six school districts that adopted their own district-wide nutrition policies regulating competitive beverages and/or snacks. These case studies provide valuable lessons learned and models for school districts implementing school nutrition policies. This report can be found on the Strategic Alliance, The California Endowment and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation websites.

Six Arguments for a Greener Diet

The Center for Science and the Public Interest’s (CSPI) new book, Six Arguments for a Greener Diet, is an examination of agriculture, food, health, the environment, and animal welfare.  It explains the evidence demonstrating that eating more plant foods and fewer fatty animal products can lead to healthier lives, major reductions in environmental pollution, and less harm to animals.  The book provides specific policy recommendations to move America in that direction.   In addition to the book, CSPI has launched an information-packed and fun interactive website at www.EatingGreen.org.

Diabetes: Sugar Coated Crisis

A new book, Sugar Coated Crisis by David Spero, RN, reveals the social causes of toxic food, inactivity, and stress.  Read about the health approaches that are working, the social movement that is growing to promote health and wellness, and how you can participate. 

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Upcoming Events

Mobilizing Communities to Take Action for Better Health

September 13, 2006; Berkeley, CA

Join BANPAC and BARNN to discuss empowering youth and other community members to participate in school wellness committees, improve neighborhood parks and provide access to healthy foods, and other issues related to nutrition and physical activity. 

Healthy Communities Taking Action

September 15, 2006; San Jose, CA

Join in the largest countywide conference to address the health crisis of obesity in Santa Clara County. The Conference will bring together community partners in Santa Clara County to expand on-going efforts to decrease the incidence of overweight and obesity by increasing physical activity and promoting healthy nutrition. 

California Childhood Obesity Conference

January 23-26, 2007; Anaheim, CA

SAVE THE DATE! The California Childhood Obesity Conference, hosted by the CA Department of Health Services, the CA Department of Education, and the UC Berkeley Center for Weight and Health.  Register before Jan 5, 2007 for special early registration rates. November 1 deadline for poster and exhibitor applications.

6th Annual Smart Growth Conference

February 8-10, 2007; Los Angeles, CA

Spend three full days at the 6th Annual Smart Growth Conference networking with your peers and practitioners from difference disciplines focused on the same goal: building safe, healthy, and liveable communities for all. Discuss cutting-edge smart growth issues; learn about the latest research, implementation tools and strategies, successful case studies; share interactive learning experiences; and be introduced to new partners, new projects and new policies. See http://www.NewPartners.org for more details.

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Thanks for reading!  The Strategic Alliance is currently engaged in building a broad and diverse statewide membership.  If you were forwarded this e-mail and want to receive your own copy in the future, please click here or e-mail Sana@preventioninstitute.org.  And if you’re already a member, please forward this message to your colleagues so we can continue to strengthen our coalition.  Thank you!

WHAT IS THE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE?

The Strategic Alliance is reframing the debate on nutrition and physical activity away from a focus on individual choice and lifestyle towards one of environment and corporate and government responsibility. Current Steering Committee members are: California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program (CANFit), California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA), California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA), California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) , California Project LEAN, California WIC Association (CWA), Child Care Food Program Roundtable, Latino Health Access, Partnership for the Public’s Health, Prevention Institute, Samuels & Associates, and YMCA of the East Bay.

The Strategic Alliance is supported by funding from The California Endowment.

The Strategic Alliance is reframing the debate on nutrition and physical activity--from a focus on individual choice and lifestyle, towards one of environment and corporate and government responsibility.

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