Events like Los Angeles' CicLAvia help promote the idea that roads not only belong to motorists, but to cyclists and pedestrians as well. The first CicLAvia in 2010 attracted 60,000 children and adults of all walks of life and now CicLAvia has become a yearly event in Los Angeles. CicLAvia has helped create a safe, bike friendly, environment for both children and adults. Watch "Viva CicLAvia!" the bilingual video from Streetfilms, to learn about CicLAvia and other open streets events. Hear what CicLAvia participants had to ...
In 2006, California SB 6385 introduced a number of changes to the After School Education and Safety (ASES) program. Along with doubling the number of state-funded after school programs, the legislation mandated that healthy snacks provided through these programs are consistent with California’s school nutrition standards (SB 12), and that the California Department of Education (CDE) develop voluntary physical activity guidelines for ASES programs. In 2009, the After School Programs Office of the California Department of Education (CDE) developed voluntary standards called CASPA guidelines to guide physical activity in after school programs. Because after school staff have the power to make daily physical activity accessible and engaging for children, it is important that these leaders ...
What would happen if a group of teenage advocates came before policy makers to express concern about their community's health? Could this lead to safer streets, healthier food in schools, and more green space? CANFIT has trained and equipped directors of youth programs and young advocates, with the tools and knowledge they need to bring healthy changes to their community. Learn what youth in Santa Ana found when they conducted their own assessment of the environment. Young advocates received an award for their submission "What We See in Santa Ana" to the MO Project video contest. This video demonstrates many of the environmental factors which contribute to Latino childhood obesity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56RZzre0H3Y&list=UUN-aTdEpagQnFhVACxdnhcA Visit the resource CANFIT ...
A five year comprehensive action plan to reduce chronic disease & obesity in Arizona, was endorsed in 2005, by former governor, Janet Napolitano. The plan notes the importance of "Nutrition and Physical Activity in the Physical Environment" as well as "Nutrition and Physical Activity in the Community." Objectives and strategies along with action steps for improving the built environment and increasing recreation time are described. Some examples of planned objectives for the state include: Educate and promote healthy design of Arizona communities
Recommend that Arizona communities assess and plan for healthy designs or re-designs of urban and rural areas
Integrate a culture of physical activity throughout Arizona communities
Deliver a health marketing campaign about ...
Despite rules, regulations, and policies, junk food marketing can make it's way into schools. This issue became an problem in Maine when a study found that the marketing restrictions were not being completely followed. Maine's law prohibits "brand-specific advertising of certain unhealthy foods and beverages in schools," specifically foods that are not allowed to be sold in school. By doing this Maine hopes to keep unhealthy food or junk food brands out of sight of students, since they are already not allowed to purchase these foods during the school day. The foods not allowed to be served during the school day are considered "Foods of Minimum Nutritional Value," including soda, water ices, chewing gum, candies, and any food containing less than five percent of the Reference Daily ...
Students at Briscoe Elementary in Houston Texas are learning the meaning of what it is to live a healthy lifestyle. Thanks to the collaboration of Children and Neighbors Defeat Obesity (CAN DO) Houston, the city's parks and recreation department, and strong leadership from the school's principal, Mr. Juan Gonzalez, students are able to attend after school activities held at Mason Park. After school activities are provided free of charge by the parks and recreation department, but it wasn't until a CAN DO board member suggested the idea of transporting students to Mason Park, that the idea took off. An Interview with Briscoe Elementary Principal Juan Gonzalez "Parents believed that they [children] would not be safe walking, so we came up with the idea of buses," Principal ...
Active Texas 2020 is a comprehensive physical activity plan for the state of Texas. It is divided into 8 sections which describe the need for establishing a statewide physical activity plan, how to go about collaborating with various stakeholders, how to obtain resources, and establish goals, for engaging in evidence based initiatives to promote physical activity.
Active Texas 2020 is built on the following principles: increasing physical activity will improve the health of individuals and throughout the state;
making the healthier choice the easier choice in local communities where people live, work, pray and play is everyone’s business;
a successful approach to making community change is one that: a.) engages and seeks leadership, b.) collaboration, ...
In February of 2013, Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) filed SB 525, a bill that would increase physical activity requirements for middle school students (grades 6-8th). Students would be required to take six semesters of physical activity rather than the current requirement of only four semesters. Rep. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) filed a companion bill HB 277, which includes the same provisions as SB 525. The bills, which would increase physical education requirements for students and require at least 30 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity, 135 minutes per week, or (if the district uses block scheduling) 225 minutes of bi-weekly physical activity, failed to pass during the 2013 Legislative ...
At the 2013 Texas Legislature, Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) introduced SB 65, as a way to recognize schools for creating a healthy environment. If this bill were to be enacted schools would be recognized with a bronze, silver, or gold, award according to the success of their school's fitness program. Private and non-profit entities would be allowed to provide donations and incentives to schools that receive healthy school recognition. According to the Texas Legislature Online, SB 65 was referred to public education and no action was taken in committee. Read the full text to SB 65, which would have provided recognition to schools with a healthy school ...
