Scope of the Problem  factual statements on the extent of the problem in the past, current, or future

•  Statistics
• In 1985, the obesity rate in California was less than 10%.  Since then, obesity has constantly been on the rise.  As of 2010, California has an obesity rate of 24.0%¹ 

Past Policy  key legislation and milestones including significant policy and funding shifts, major studies, etc.

• Children watch about 40,000 commercials per year, half of which are about food.  In 2004, California enacted legislation that called upon the Federal Trade Commission to develop and implement nutrition standards for foods and beverages advertised to children and to advertise healthy living during commercial breaks.  The legislation also encouraged the food industry and markets to follow guidelines developed by professionals in order to advertise healthy food to children.
• In 2003, California legislature enacted a policy that required the state health department to provide educational and informational brochures to expecting and new parents on how to maintain a healthy family.
• Legislation enacted in 2003 encouraged day care providers to provide children with only nutritious foods and beverages.
• The California’s Childhood Obesity Prevention Act, enacted in 2003, prohibited the sale of certain beverages to elementary and middle school students, except at specified school events.
• In 2004, California passed a legislation that encouraged school boards to slowly introduce nutritious choices in vending machines.  It urged school districts to adopt a policy requiring at least 50 percent of vending machine items to meet nutritional standards by the 2006-2007 school year. ²

Current Policy  summary of current policies in the form of legislation, programs, and funding

• In 2010, 9 states, including California, enacted stricter nutritional policies in schools to ensure healthy living for kids.³
• A 2008 legislation requires cities and counties to develop safe roadways for all users and travelers, including cyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, children, seniors and people with disabilities.
• In 2010, California enacted legislation that establishes standards for beverages served to children in California’s licensed child care facilities and homes.
• Public schools are required to ensure that free, fresh drinking water is available to students in school food service areas.⁴

Key Organizations/Individuals  contacts for public and private organizations and key individuals

• Government
• California Department of Public Health 
• Non-Profit - Service Providing
• California Active Communities 
• Non-Profit - Advocacy/Membership/Network
• California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) 
• Foundation
• Other

Bibliography   web sites, reports, articles, and other reference material

Footnotes

1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, "U.S. Obesity Trends", 21 July 2011, http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html.

2. National Conference of State Legislatures, "Childhood Obesity - An Overview of Policy Options 2003-2004", 2011, http://www.ncsl.org/Default.aspx?TabId=14112.

3. American Academy of Pediatrics, "State Government Affairs", 2010, http://aap.org/advocacy/statelegrpt.pdf.

4. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, "California", 3 March 2011, http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/stateprograms/fundedstates/california.html.