CCpha resources

Printable Page

In order to deepen public and policy makers’ understanding of the growing epidemics of childhood obesity and diabetes, CCPHA has conducted studies and developed fact sheets on obesity, diabetes and some of the specific social and environmental factors that influence individual choices about eating and physical activity. Among the factors, listed below, many disproportionately affect particular ethnic groups:

• The trend to larger portions of low-cost, high-calorie foods and beverages
• Increased soda consumption
• Massive availability of soda and junk food on school campuses
• Extensive and insidious advertising and marketing of unhealthy products
• Limited opportunities for physical activity and physical education in schools and communities
• Limited access to healthy foods in low-income neighborhoods
• Increased television viewing

The following CCPHA fact sheets address many of these issues:

Childhood Obesity. During the past three decades, the prevalence of overweight among young people in the United States more than tripled among children 6 to 11 years old and more than doubled among adolescents 12 to 19 years old... Read more...

Diabetes. California is in the midst of an unprecedented diabetes epidemic. Far more adults and children have the disease than ever before. In 2001, more than 1.4 million California adults had been diagnosed with diabetes. Read more...

Marketing to Children. The growing epidemic of childhood obesity has brought renewed attention to the role that food and beverage advertising and marketing play in negatively influence kids’ eating habits. Read more...

Menu-labeling. Consumers need nutrition information to make informed choices to help reduce obesity and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes. California has the opportunity to become the first state in the nation to require that chain restaurants post nutritional information on menus and menu boards. Read more...

Physical Education. Physical education plays a vital role in enhancing both the academic and behavioral performance of children while building lifelong healthy habits. Read more...

School Nutrition. For many young people, breakfast and lunch at school consist of individual items selected daily from a la carte food lines, vending machines, and the school store. Far too often, items available at these locations consist of large portions that are high in fat, sugar, sodium, and ultimately, calories. These items are also typically low in essential nutrients. Read more...

Soda Consumption. Regular soda consumption is a noted health risk for our children. Yet children today drink more soft drink beverages than any prior generation, trading essential vitamins and minerals—including calcium—for nutrient-poor soda beverages. Read more...

Collaboration with Organizations. CCPHA is one of several organizations working on the childhood obesity epidemic. Read more...