Advocacy Resource Guide

This resource guide will assist community advocates in identifying and engaging in key advocacy strategies to help reduce the burden of childhood obesity, especially in low-income communities and communities of color.

The epidemic of childhood obesity has been escalating over the last three decades; and left unchecked, this will be the first generation to not outlive their parents. Individual education and personal behavior change are important components of the overall solution. However, advocating for comprehensive policies in schools, improving built environments, and reducing food deserts that are prevalent in vulnerable communities is critical for ensuring that people have opportunities to make healthy choices.

Engaging in advocacy gives communities a voice in the public debate about how to improve children’s health outcomes. Long-term health improvements can be achieved when residents are involved in the decision-making process and communities and policy-makers work together to bring about change.