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Welcome to Policy Leadership for Active Youth

PLAY is a policy research initiative of the Georgia State University Institute of Public Health in partnership with the Georgia Center for Obesity and Related Disorders (GCORD) of the University of Georgia and Medical College of Georgia focused on engaging multiple sectors. Supported by Healthcare Georgia Foundation, the major focus of PLAY is connecting emerging evidence around childhood overweight and obesity to prevention and reduction activities occurring throughout Georgia. 

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Announcements

• Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities: A Guide for PreventingChildhood Obesity in Georgia
This resource was developed to assist policymakers, school officials and community champions in identifying and implementing the most promising approaches to increase physical activity and healthy eating. The guide includes evidence-based recommendations from leading health organizations, such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Institute of Medicine, as well as web-links to useful tools for implementing listed approaches. Numerous success stories from across the state are featured. Overall, the guide is aimed at stimulating action on childhood obesity prevention in Georgia's schools and communities.

This resource was developed by Rodney Lyn, PhD, Joyce Maalouf, MS,Tobey Davis, JD, Sarah Connell, BA, and Megan Smith, MPH, and Institute of Public Health, Georgia State University on behalf of the Philanthropic Collaborative for a Healthy Georgia.

Click here to download this guide.

• Fit Kids Act
Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) have reintroduced a new version of their Fit Kids Act. The bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to increase the focus on physical education and activity, nutrition education, and health education.

Click here for a summary of the bill visit:

• KFF Childhood Obesity State Legislation Chart
The Kaiser Family Foundation has recently updated its State Health Facts database. The interactive database tracks state action on childhood obesity. Users can view actions related to childhood obesity by a national map, region, or legislative issue areas including school nutrition, physical activity, and task forces or committees.

To go to the database click here.   

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Upcoming Meetings and Events

 • 6th Biennial Childhood Obesity Conference: Celebrating Success and Moving Toward Health in All Policies
The conference will showcase the latest research, evidence-based best practices, and policy/environmental change strategies. Topics will incorporate Health in All Policies through the built environment, transportation, and agriculture.
When: June 28 – 30, 2011
Where: Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California
Apply for an Exhibit or Poster Session to showcase your organization’s products or services to address childhood obesity. The deadline to submit an application is April 15.
For more information click here. 

• Call for applications to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation Youth Advisory Board
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation's empowerME Movement inspires kids to make healthy behavior changes and become leaders and advocates for healthy eating and physical activity.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Alliance's Youth Advisory Board for 2011-2012. Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 17 years old when membership begins in July 2011 and live in the United States.
For more information click here.

 • Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference
An annual scientific conference for the national and international public health community. Registration opens February 2011
When: April 11–15, 2011
Where: Atlanta, GA
For more information click here.

 • Georgia Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting and Conference: Rebuilding Public Health in Georgia
When: April 12-13, 2011
Where: Crowne Plaza, Atlanta Perimeter NW, 6345 Powers Ferry Road, Atlanta

For more information click here.

• 2011 Built Environment Assessment Training Institute (BEAT-Plus)
Course topics include: Measuring Nutrition Environments, Measuring Physical Activity Environments, and Other Tools and Applications of Built Environment Assessments
When: June 26-July 1, 2011
Where: Seattle, Washington

For more information click here.

• Camp Strong4Life
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is hosting its 2nd annual summer camp for overweight and obese children this summer. Camp Strong4Life is open to all children across the state of Georgia between the ages of 9-14, who are in the 85th BMI percentile or above. The Mission of Camp Strong4Life is to empower kids struggling with their weight through increased physical activity, better eating habits, and heightened motivation to engage in healthy behaviors.
To learn more click here. 

Childhood Obesity Headlines
• Study Links Infant Obesity with Starting Solid Foods Early
A study published in the journal Pediatrics, found that formula-fed infants who were given solid foods before they were 4 months old were far more likely to be obese at age 3, compared to babies introduced to solid foods after the age of 4 months. The Harvard researchers did not find an association between the timing of solid-food introduction and obesity among breastfed infants. The study supports the guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics that recommends introducing solid foods between ages 4 and 6 months old.
To read more click here. 

• A California Soda Tax Aims to Raise $1.7 Billion to Fund Threatened Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs
A new bill was introduced in February to the California legislature that would tax sugar-sweetened beverages sold in the state with a penny per ounce. The money raised from the new tax would fund healthy eating and active living programs such as improving school food service, improving physical education classes, increasing access to water on school campuses, and enhancing parks, recreation, and after-school programs.
To read the press release click here. 

• Schools to Receive More Fresh Produce
According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, about four million elementary students should receive a free vegetable or fruit snack at school next year. USDA plans to expand its Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program by putting $158 million into it for the 2011-12 school year. The increase in funding is estimated to benefit 600,000 to 950,000 more students than were served the previous year.
To read more click here.

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Newsletters


 

Childhood Obesity Headlines

Study Links Infant Obesity with Starting Solid Foods Early
A study published in the journal Pediatrics, found that formula-fed infants who were given solid foods before they were 4 months old were far more likely to be obese at age 3, compared to babies introduced to solid foods after the age of 4 months. The Harvard researchers did not find an association between the timing of solid-food introduction and obesity among breastfed infants. The study supports the guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics that recommends introducing solid foods between ages 4 and 6 months old.  To read more click here.

A California Soda Tax Aims to Raise $1.7 Billion to Fund Threatened Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs
A new bill was introduced in February to the California legislature that would tax sugar-sweetened beverages sold in the state with a penny per ounce. The money raised from the new tax would fund healthy eating and active living programs such as improving school food service, improving physical education classes, increasing access to water on school campuses, and enhancing parks, recreation, and after-school programs. To read the press release click here.

Schools to Receive More Fresh Produce
According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, about four million elementary students should receive a free vegetable or fruit snack at school next year. USDA plans to expand its Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program by putting $158 million into it for the 2011-12 school year. The increase in funding is estimated to benefit 600,000 to 950,000 more students than were served the previous year.  To read more click here.