Case for aCtion: California, like much of the rest of the world, is experiencing an obesity epidemic for which there

is no single cause or simple cure. The case for action to address this epidemic is based on three principal factors:

(1.) California’s Current Health Status - Poor nutrition and inactivity are causing serious health problems – including

type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer – now, and if left unchecked will lead to worsening conditions in

the future.

(2.) Competing Environmental Forces – Choices that lead to poor nutrition and inactivity are often more available,

affordable, and convenient than healthier options.

(3.) Fragmented, Uncoordinated Efforts – Many actions are being taken by government, industry, voluntary, and

philanthropic sectors, but without concordance.

Call to aCtion: We have a vision for a healthier California. Governor Schwarzenegger developed a 10 Step Vision

for a Healthy California and convened the Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity in September 2005 as a call to action

to bring focus and momentum to the transformation that is needed to create the healthy California in which we all want

to live. Through California’s internationally recognized tobacco control programs, we have experience and success in

effecting a major societal change that resulted in significantly improved health for the people of our state. It was a difficult

task, but we did it. And we can do it again. As California has been a leader in reducing tobacco use, we can be a leader

in the campaign to reduce obesity.

the Plan: This California Obesity Prevention Plan serves as a guide for each sector of society to take part in creating

the shift to healthy eating and active living. This plan was constructed with input from a number of advisory groups,

forums, and meetings including, the Governor’s Summit on Health, Nutrition, and Obesity, the Strategic Alliance, and

the California Obesity Prevention Initiative. It identifies recommendations for action for all sectors to make sustainable

changes in physical activity and food environments. The strategic actions are organized under these four goals:

Goal 1: Ensure state level leadership and coordination that reaches into communities across the state.

Goal 2: Create a statewide public education campaign that frames healthy eating and active living as California living.

Goal 3: Support local assistance grants and implement multi-sectoral policy strategies to create healthy eating and

active living community environments.

Goal 4: Create and implement a statewide tracking and evaluation system.

This California Obesity Prevention Plan is meant to serve as a springboard for government, business, voluntary, and

philanthropic sectors to convert fragmentation into collaboration and synergy, to carefully align and invest resources, and

to create a shared response to a societal crisis.

Strategies for Action!

FAMILIES

- Eat at least one healthy meal a day together as a family.

- Choose fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and

seeds, and non- or low-fat dairy products over high-calorie, lownutrient

foods.

- Limit calorie intake by moderating portion size, limiting soft drinks and sweetened beverages, and limiting foods with high amounts of sugar and fat.

- Reduce TV viewing and sedentary computer "gaming" time, especially for children and youth.

Participate in physical activity every day.

Participate in fun physical activity – playing, walking, hiking,

sports – as a family.

 SCHooLS

-  Ensure that children receive quality physical education that meets minimum state standards for duration and frequency.
-  Make school recreational facilities available for after-hours use by the community, especially in neighborhoods that lack park and recreational facilities.
- Institute healthy food and beverage standards for all meals, snacks, and beverages available in preschool, school, and after-school programs.
-  Advertise only healthy foods and beverages on school grounds and use alternatives to foods in fundraising, incentive, and other programs.
-  Maximize the availability of fresh and regional foods through initiatives such as farm-to-school programs.
- Provide a nutritious breakfast utilizing the federal School Breakfast Program in all schools. limited transportation options.