Governments are not the only organizations with public health policies and programs that can help people (or employ public health experts).
For example, “…more than 150 retailers, food and beverage manufacturers, restaurants, sporting goods and insurance companies, trade associations and NGOs, and professional sports organizations” have committed to helping reduce obesity. They formed the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF) to “promote ways to help people achieve a healthy weight through energy balance–calories in and calories out. It focuses on three critical areas–the marketplace, the workplace and schools.”
One program from HWCF’s school-focused programs (copied from the website):
Energy Balance 101: Healthier US Schools Challenge
Energy Balance 101 can help a school participate in the HealthierUS Schools Challenge—the voluntary initiative established by USDA in 2004 recognizing schools stepping up to create a healthier environment.
How?
The “energy in / energy out” approach at the core of the curriculum aligns with the major requirements posed by the Challenge. Plus, EB:101 is flexible for teachers to use and can supplement existing school programs with complete modules or individual lessons on nutrition, PE and goal setting. A new index is being created to clearly establish how the Energy Balance 101 lessons can support a school’s desire to enter the Challenge.
In addition to the existing supportive curriculum, Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation and Discovery Education will be creating a host of activities and materials to help schools participate. Like the HealthierUS Schools Challenge, where schools demonstrating excellence are eligible for Gold, Silver and, Bronze awards with monetary incentives, the Energy Balance:101 set of tools will include incentives to help schools “go for the Gold, Silver and Bronze.” An exciting student contest, a sweepstakes for “Challenge” participants to achieve a higher level award from USDA and new lesson plans specifically tailored to the Challenge are on deck for August 2011 release.
Support extends into the community with resources for school nutrition professionals, such as planning tools, menu ideas, tracking and measuring digital tools, and promotional materials; material support for ‘Healthy Living Family Nights’ that build support for wellness activities among families and communities; and in-person and training academies to motivate educators to teach students the critical relationship between nutrition and physical activity. These resources will especially help schools in the areas of promoting physical activity and improving nutrition curriculum.
Learn more about how leading brands are engaging in the Foundation’s initiatives or how you might use this resource to support your obesity-reduction programs, policies or goals.
