Minnesota Legislative Childhood Obesity Working Group
The working group has been meeting over the 2009 interim to examine and make recommendations that require legislative actions regarding a variety of strategies – within schools and communities – that will significantly reduce childhood obesity. The goal is for the group to make recommendations for legislation in 2010 and possibly future years to make real progress in tackling childhood obesity.

Efforts to Reduce Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity Working Group Final Recommendations 2010

Presentations delivered at the Oct. 30th working group meeting

  A.  Physical Education and Physical Activity in the Schools

• Mary Thissen-Milder PhD – MN Dept. of Education (download)

  B.  School Nutrition Policies/Action for Healthy Kids

• Dr. Marc Manley M.D. – Blue Cross/Blue Shield (download)
• Teresa Rondeau-Ambroz – Dakota County Public Health

• Jodi Rohe – BLEND (Better Living Exercise & Nutrition Daily) download
• Cara McNulty – MN Dept. of Health (download)
• Julie Ring – MN Local Public Health Association

For further information, please contact Rachel Callanan, Senior Advocacy Director, 952-278-7915.
 

Obesity Rates and Statistics

• Obesity and Future Health Care Costs: A Portrait of Two Minnesotas
  This report uses Minnesota data to create Minnesota-specific projections of future health care costs directly attributed to obesity.

Childhood Learning and Health Trends

• Child Trends
  This non-profit, nonpartisan research center studies children at every state of development.
• School Food Unwrapped: What’s Available and What our Kids Actually Are Eating

• Physical Activity in Minnesota Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors
  This report presents findings from BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota’s inaugural 2005 Minnesota Physical Activity Survey (MPAS).
• Statewide Health Improvement Plan (SHIP)
  This site provides an overview of SHIP and includes details of stakeholders and Plan details.
• Mayo Clinic Action on Obesity Task Force
  The Mayo Clinic in Rochester created a task force in order to develop action plans that can be implemented at the work site, the community, the states and the nation.

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded programs to combat childhood obesity
  RWJF has developed three integrated strategies to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic: evidence, action and advocacy.
• State Action to Promote Nutrition, Increase Physical Activity and Prevent Obesity
  This is a report on state action to promote nutrition, increase physical activity and   prevent obesity.
• F as in Fat 2008: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America
  This report tracks trends in obesity-related rates and policies.
• Blueprint for a Healthier America
  This report is about modernizing the federal public health system to focus on prevention and preparedness.
• Childhood obesity laws by state
  This site provides state laws addressing childhood obesity.
• Guidelines for Responsible Food Marketing in Children
  The Guidelines provide criteria for marketing food to children in a manner that does not undermine children’s diets or harm their health.
• National Conference of State Legislatures
  NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. Find resources relating to state policy for Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Food Systems to Support Healthy Communities