Jeanette Flores, MPA California Center for Public Health Advocacy Healthy Communities One City at a Time

$10 BILLION IS SPENT ANNUALLY ADVERTISING FOOD AND BEVERAGES TO CHILDREN IOM, 2005 Access to Healthy Food ?

Overwhelming Scientific Evidence  Cross sectional studies, longitudinal studies, intervention trials  Every additional soda children consume increases obesity risk by 60%  Adults who drink soda daily are 27% more likely to be overweight

DRINK A SODA OR MORE A DAY Age 2-11:41% Age 12-17:62% 175 calories per day!

Genetic change? Less will power? Less informed? or Have we built a toxic environment? SO WHAT IS HAPPENING? SO WHAT IS HAPPENING? ?

“It is unreasonable to expect that people will change their behavior easily when so many forces in the social, cultural, and physical environment conspire against such change.” Public Policy

 The City of Baldwin Park is at the forefront in establishing policy that is innovative yet remains true to the needs of our community.  The first municipality in the State to implement the healthy policy and the first City to open a healthy Teen Center in the San Gabriel Valley.

Baldwin Park Bell Gardens El Monte * passed city wide nutrition standards policy Huntington Park La Puente South El Monte

Public Dollars for Public Good Increase access to healthier food/beverages Healthier community Sends the right message Promote healthful eating in local jurisdictions Promote life long healthful habits

Best Case Scenario:  No calorically sweetened drinks  Drinks must be fruit/vegetable-based and 50%- 100% real juice (with no added caloric sweeteners)  Milk products: must include 2%, 1%, nonfat, soy, rice and other similar nondairy drinks  Drinking water must have no added sweeteners

Snacks: Similar Standards No more than:  35% of calories from fat  35% sugar by weight  250 calories  NEW: Exemption for nuts, seeds, beans etc.

Entrees: NEW No more than: 400 calories per serving 4 grams of fat per 100 calories Offer at least one low-sodium item

 Baked Doritos  Pretzels  Fruit Snacks  Granola Bars  Beef Jerky  Corn Nuts  Sport Drinks  Low Fat Crackers

There were no costs to transition the soda and snack machines, it was a matter of the vendor cooperating and fulfilling our request.

 Solution is NOT only a matter of personal responsibility  Education is critical, AND  School and community environments must be changed  Federal, state, and local policies are crucial

Make the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice We can do more and we need to do more