Policy and Action

When it comes to fighting the obesity epidemic, some of the greatest sustainability lies at the policy level. Whether from a municipal, state, federal or international level, decision and policy makers are among the best positioned to enact change and promote better health. 

TURNING SCIENCE INTO ACTION   

Obesity is rooted in a complex system of policy, economic, environmental, social, behavioral and physiological  factors and relationships, making it difficult to prevent and control. Despite the time, effort, and resources that have already been dedicated to this problem, the epidemic continues to grow. New approaches and solutions are needed—particularly in the policy and decision-making arena.

By bridging the divide between research, education, policy and action, the Global Obesity Prevention Center (GOPC) is helping to develop and implement solutions from the United States to Australia to China and Saudi Arabia.

CONNECTING SCIENCE AND POLICY WORLDWIDE

Whether through interventions focused on improving school  lunches, increasing opportunities for exercise or offering incentives for local store owners to offer healthier foods, like fruits and  vegetables, our Center is supporting policy-level projects around  the US and the globe. 

We educate policymakers, decision makers and other stakeholders about the systems-based, interdisciplinary approaches that can bring about positive change.

Some of our efforts include:

• Collaboration with Decision Makers: Through our policy working group and research efforts, we offer direct support and guidance to stakeholders and decision makers working to solve obesity, including city council members, educators and health department officials.
• Programs and Interventions:  B'More Healthy: Communities for Kids is a five-year, multi-level, multi-component intervention trial aimed at improving the food environment in Baltimore City by working in 30 low-income neighborhoods within identified food deserts.
• Funding Time-Sensitive Projects: Some of the studies we’ve funded include:

  • The Food Trust in Philadelphia examined shopping patterns, dietary intake and rates of overweight/obesity before and after implementation of policies and environmental interventions intended  to increase healthier food and beverage sales in Philadelphia corner stores.

  • A project conducted by researchers from the University of Washington, the Community Transformation Grant, and the WA Nutrition Obesity Policy and Evaluation Network, applied social network analysis to better understand the efficacy of new policies aimed at creating a Social Learning Network (SLN) to foster healthier school nutrition environments.

  • Researchers at San Diego State University studied the effects of policy, environment and systems changes introduced via two multilevel, multi-sector childhood obesity prevention and control projects implemented in two different regions of the country.