Healthy Eating by Design
An RWJF National Program
Field of Work: Changing local food and nutrition policies and environments for children
Problem Synopsis: By 2005, approximately 9 million children age 6 and older were considered obese. Part of the problem is that children and families living in low-income communities have limited means to buy and limited access to healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Synopsis of the Work: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) selected 12 community partnerships participating in its national program Active Living by Design to implement strategies to provide affordable, healthy and appealing food options to children and families by changing local food and nutrition policies and environments. Seven school-based partnerships and five community-based partnerships participated in Health Eating by Design.
Key Results: The program had results in four areas:
Policy Actions and Changes: The 12 partnerships achieved six policy changes in schools and communities and acted in dozens of other policy change efforts, moving many partners for the first time to engage in policy development. For example, the school-based projects were involved in the development and implementation of federally mandated school wellness policies.
Programs—New or Expanded—to Support Healthy Eating or Access to Healthy Foods. Seven partnerships—Buffalo; Chicago; Denver; Louisville, Ky.; Santa Ana, Calif.; Seattle; and Upper Valley, N.H./Vt.—offered cooking demonstrations or classes.