STRATEGIC ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER

February 2004

Welcome to the latest update from the Strategic Alliance. In this issue, we highlight a number of tools, activities and news items that focus on the role of the environment and in applying environmental solutions to improve nutrition and physical activity. Specific items include a tool for local policy change, results from regional policy meetings on 2004 legislative priorities, a new documentary film about fast food, the American Public Health Association's recently adopted policy on marketing to children, the W.H.O. global obesity strategy, and newly released data on the cost of the obesity epidemic. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions for future issues, and urge you to visit the website, www.eatbettermovemore.org, on a regular basis.

STRATEGIC ALLIANCE UPDATES

Take Action through Online Voting: Building Momentum for Local Policy Change-Environmental and Nutrition Activity Strategies (ENACT) Tool

Interest in environmental and policy approaches to promoting healthy eating and activity is steadily growing. In order to broaden the impact of nutrition and physical activity improvements, action must be taken across the state on a local level. The ENACT tool, designed to galvanize local policy change -- in preschools, schools, after-school programs, neighborhoods, government, workplaces and healthcare -- fosters mutually supportive and consistent efforts across the state by providing a menu of priorities for change in each of the named sectors. Selecting three priorities for change per year in each key area would make significant contributions towards creating activity and nutrition promoting environments.

In order to best support local efforts, the Strategic Alliance has drafted some priorities for change. Beginning the week of February 16, you will be able to "vote" on those priorities which you feel would develop the most coherent, comprehensive result across the state. You can help us to select priorities for local action by visiting the Strategic Alliance website, www.eatbettermovemore.org.

Reportback: Results of Regional Policy Meetings

The Strategic Alliance held 5 regional policy meetings throughout the state from November to January to develop legislative priorities for 2004 and encourage dialogue around both state and local priorities. What came out of these meetings were the numerous, impressive local efforts and a huge commitment to issues of physical activity and nutrition across the state. Although a wide range of local and state priorities emerged, the highest priority areas that emerged focused on making improvements in school meals and physical education in schools. The second area to emerge included making changes to improve neighborhood food access in low-income communities and eliminating soda from all schools. The full report will be posted on the Policy section of the Strategic Alliance website.

Legislation is currently under review to determine which bills best fit the interest of the Alliance membership. In order to further the momentum from these meetings, Strategic Alliance will host a second lobby day, ENACT 2004, in early spring. Details are forthcoming and will be posted on the What's New section of the website.

Finally, we would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who attended meetings for their valuable input.

IN THE NEWS

Healthcare costs of obesity reach $75 billion in 2003

According to a study published in the January 2004 edition of Obesity Research, costs related to obesity reached as high as $75 billion for the US in 2003, with California paying the most at $7.7 billion. Conducted by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and RTI International, "These estimates of obesity-attributable medical expenditures present the best available information concerning the economic impact of obesity at the state level." Focusing on individuals alone will not reverse the costs from an epidemic that is entirely preventable. Rather, the study gives economic evidence to the importance of comprehensive prevention which can only be achieved through broad-based environmental and policy changes that promote healthy eating and physical activity.

To read the study's abstract, go to obesityresearch.org. To read the CDC's press release, go to www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r040121.htm.

New study finds "food choices and diet quality are influenced by social and economic resources and by food cost"

A new study by Adam Drewnowski and S.E. Specter, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reveals that high-fat, energy dense diets are more affordable than diets based on lean meats, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables. The study also finds that low-income families are more likely to suffer from poor diets not because of individual food preferences, lack of education or lower awareness of health issues, but because "healthier diets cost more and are beyond the reach of many low-income families." The study provides further evidence that to achieve healthy eating habits, the focus must be removed from a purely individual framework. For the full report from the University of Washington: depts.washington.edu/uwcphn/ADrewnowski_AJCN2004.pdf

The Cat, the Hat, kids' ads like that: a commentary on children's commercialism

David Lazarus, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, recently wrote an article on children's commercialism using the recent "Cat in the Hat" movie as an example of commercialism run rampant. Leslie Mikkelsen, member of the Strategic Alliance, was interviewed and explained, "We're taking away [children's] ability to make real choices. We're allowing marketers to use all their power to motivate behavior." Children are certainly big business. According to the article, as of 2000, children influenced $500 billion of parental purchasing, up from $5 billion in the 1960's. Brand loyalty may develop as early as age two. To read the full article, go to www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/12/26/BUGO83U42K1.DTL

American Public Health Association Issues Policy Statement on Marketing to Children

Declaring that "Children are a vulnerable group that should be protected from commercial influences that may adversely affect weight status and subsequent health problems," the American Public Health Association has issued a policy statement regarding marketing to children. Food products are the most heavily advertised item on children's programming, accounting for more than half of all ads. Children view an average of one food commercial every five minutes that they watch TV, and the foods advertised are typically high in both sugar and fat. Included in the recommendations called for by APHA are:

1. [Encouraging] the federal government, states and school districts to designate schools as food advertising-free zones, where children and adolescents can pursue learning free of commercial influences and pressures; and
2. [Encouraging] collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Congress, state health and education agencies, school districts, and state and local legislatures to develop school policies that promote a healthful eating environment, such as the provision of healthier foods and bottled water while prohibiting the sale of soft drinks and other high-calorie, low-nutrition foods during the school day.

To read the full policy statement, please visit www.apha.org/legislative/policy/index.htm.

OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Super Size Me: A Film of Epic Proportions

The hit of the recent Sundance Film Festival and winner of Best Documentary Film Director, this much-needed documentary answers the questions "can you live on fast food alone?" Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock put his health on the line and became a human guinea pig by vowing to eat only McDonald's for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a whole month. The results are not pretty. Checked out by a team of doctors before and after the month-long experiment, the previously fit Spurlock gained 30 pounds, experienced an alarming cholesterol increase and started developing serious liver problems. Despite his doctor's insistence that he must stop the experiment for the sake of his health, Spurlock did hold on for the full month. McDonald's officials have not seen the film. To obtain more information, including plans for distribution, visit the official website, supersizeme.com.

NEWS THAT WORRIES US

W.H.O. Global Obesity Strategy Denounced by United States Department of Health and Human Services

The World Health Organization has drafted The Expert Consultation on Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases, a document that offers strategies for stemming the now global obesity epidemic. Suggestions include both individual dietary changes (i.e. limiting sugar consumption) along with government policies/actions that might facilitate healthier eating habits such as limiting advertising of high fat, high sugar foods, especially ads targeting children. Nutrition experts have pointed out that the recommendations are by no means revolutionary, but simply represent what doctors would tell their patients. However, the U.S. government, backed by the American food industry, has issued a lengthy 30-page critique of the plan. The basis of the critique is that the W.H.O. plan does not place enough emphasis on personal responsibility. The New York Times issued a recent editorial, which stated "The administration should be throwing its weight behind the anti-obesity strategy instead of fighting it. Its current stance has nothing to do with health and everything to do with the political power of Big Food -- and especially Big Sugar." Go to www.nytimes.com/2004/02/02/opinion/02MON2.html.

RESOURCES

Healthy Schools for Healthy Kids: Offering policies and recommendations to increase children's Physical activity and healthy eating in schools nationwide

Healthy Schools for Healthy Kids, funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is a study of programs and policies that increase children's physical activity and healthy eating in schools and after-school programs. The report includes key findings based on a national opinion poll of teachers and parents, and an examination of physical activity and nutrition-related policies and children's physical activity and nutrition programs. The report highlights promising strategies, exemplary nutrition policies implemented on the district level, and promising in-school and after-school practices. The report highlighted the work of the Strategic Alliance, stating that the Alliance "provides an excellent model for statewide policy change." The report concludes: "We believe that healthy schools for healthy kids can become the norm. But, at minimum, it will take expanding the reach of quality programs and implementing good policies that foster lifelong physical activity and healthy eating habits in children." For a copy of the full report, go to www.rwjf.org/publications/publicationsPdfs/healthySchools.pdf.

UPCOMING ACTIONS/ACTIVITIES

Diabetes at Work: Workplace Wellness Event, Thursday, March 11, 2004 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Attend this free event and learn how your organization can start cutting healthcare costs. Scheduled speakers include State Senator Deborah Ortiz, KCRA Channel 3 Health Correspondent Dr. Tom Hopkins and CDC Representative Dr. Pamela Allweiss. The event will take place at the Radisson Hotel Sacramento, 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento. To register or for more information, please call 916-552-9942 or visit diabetesatwork.org.

California Elected Women's Association for Education and Research (CEWAER) hosts three "Healthy Weight" policy roundtables

Approximately 33% of all cancer and heart disease, and 80% of all diabetes cases, are related to poor diet and physical inactivity and obesity and physical inactivity cost California nearly $24 billion each year in direct health care costs and related lost productivity. The discussions will be held in Santa Ana (Thursday, February 12th), Fresno (Wednesday, February 25th) and Los Angeles (Friday, February 27th). There is no cost for participation but space is limited. To pre-register and for more information, call 916-551-1920 or email admin@cewaer.org.

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, California Food Policy Advocates, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, California Project LEAN, California WIC Association, Child Care Food Program Roundtable, Latino Health Access, Prevention Institute, and Samuels & Associates.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

The Strategic Alliance is currently engaged in building a broad and diverse statewide membership. To join or for more information, please visit us on the Web, or contact Leslie Mikkelsen at 510.444.7738.

And even if you're already a member, please forward this message on to your colleagues so we can continue to strengthen our coalition. Thank you!

The Strategic Alliance is supported by funding from The California Endowment and The California Wellness Foundation.

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