County Plan Moves To Reduce Childhood Obesity Rates
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan to encourage a coalition of not-for-profit organizations, businesses, schools and health care providers to address childhood obesity, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The plan recommends:
- Appointing a childhood obesity initiative director to oversee implementation of the plan;
- Developing additional walking and bicycling paths;
- Establishing school gardens and using the produce in school meals; and
- Encouraging limited advertising of unhealthful food products to children (Wolf Branscomb, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/27).
Schwarzenegger Discusses Anti-Obesity Efforts
In related news, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona on Thursday encouraged students to live active, healthy lifestyles and discussed California initiatives to reduce childhood obesity. Schwarzenegger's fiscal year 2006-2007 state budget proposal includes $85 million in increased funding for physical education programs for kindergarten through eighth grade (Office of the Governor release, 1/26).
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