Summary of Cross-sector Initiatives to Reduce Obesity

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“The roots of the obesity epidemic lie in poverty; structural racism; education; and unhealthy neighborhood and living conditions.”

In order to address the diverse determinants of obesity, leaders must coordinate from diverse fields, such as state agencies, local government, health care, city planning, housing, transportation, law enforcement, education, the business community, the faith community, child care, neighborhoods and families, to develop cross-sector initiatives.

At the Roundtable on Obesity Solutions workshop, sector leaders from diverse fields explored barriers, lessons and solutions from five case studies of cross-sector obesity prevention initiatives.

This workshop summary explains how health equity, sustainability, leadership and measurement are interwoven throughout cross-sector initiatives.  Following are examples of lessons learned and solutions to move forward from the five case studies:

• Good leaders are flexible and let community partners lead the way
• Good leaders identify and support collaborations to integrate, spread and sustain work
• Consider each partner’s unique timing when determining short- and long-term policy, systems and environment changes
• Target evaluation and performance measurements to ensure that you are measuring the most relevant indicators to demonstrate progress and impact for all sectors
• People who are affected by health inequities are often the experts in their own challenges and are the ones who can develop effective solutions to the inequities
• Provide technical expertise, support, guidance, and resources to help communities establish their own infrastructure and local leadership

Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of Salud America!, a leader in Latino childhood obesity prevention, said, “everyone is willing to contribute a piece to the solution. Everyone has a part to play, and we need to think creatively of how we can synergize those parts to work together for the greater good.”

Click here to access the Workshop Summary.