NBCI Declares a National Health Emergency in the Black Church

The U.S. Food Environment Atlas

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Food environment factors—such as store/restaurant proximity, food prices, food and nutrition assistance programs, and community characteristics—interact to influence food choices and diet quality. Research is beginning to document the complexity of these interactions, but more is needed to identify causal relationships and effective policy interventions.

Objectives of the Atlas:

• To assemble statistics on food environment indicators to stimulate research on the determinants of food choices and diet quality
• To provide a spatial overview of a community's ability to access healthy food and its success in doing so

What information is included in the Atlas?
The Atlas assembles statistics on three broad categories of food environment factors:

• Food Choices—Indicators of the community's access to and acquisition of healthy, affordable food, such as: access and proximity to a grocery store; number of foodstores and restaurants; expenditures on fast foods; food and nutrition assistance program participation; quantities of foods eaten; food prices; food taxes; and availability of local foods
• Health and Well-Being—Indicators of the community's success in maintaining healthy diets, such as: food insecurity; diabetes and obesity rates; and physical activity levels
• Community Characteristics—Indicators of community characteristics that might influence the food environment, such as: demographic composition; income and poverty; population loss; metro-nonmetro status; natural amenities; and recreation and fitness centers

The Atlas currently includes 90 indicators of the food environment. The year and geographic level of the indicators vary to better accommodate data from a variety of sources. Some data are from the last Census of Population in 2000 while others are as recent as 2009. Some are at the county level while others are at the State or regional level. The most recent county-level data are used whenever possible.

Obesity and its Health Impact

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Healthy Weight: Assessing Your Weight: Body Mass Index (BMI)

This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site explains the significance of BMI as an indicator of weight status for adults, children, and adolescents. Users can input their height and weight into a "BMI Calculator" and follow a link to obtain the CDC's growth charts for babies, children, and adolescents.

Crafting Laws and Policies to Fight Obesity

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State Legislative Information

Scroll down to State Legislative Information to access a database sponsored by the CDC that lists state legislative initiatives on nutrition and physical activity.

American Council for Fitness and Nutrition

Web site of the nonprofit organization formed in 2003 by a coalition of food and beverage companies, trade associations, and nutrition advocates to "work toward comprehensive and achievable solutions to the nation's obesity epidemic." Lists federal government initiatives and some workplace and community-level efforts, as well as programs sponsored by food and beverage companies. It's a starting point for learning about the food industry's response to the epidemic.

American Dietetic Association

Web site of the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, which has a section on Government Affairs with helpful information on food policy.

National Conference of State Legislatures

Database for looking up state legislation on many health topics.

California Center for Public Health Advocacy

Provides examples of how California nutrition activists have pioneered the approach of using specific local data on children's obesity and diabetes risk as a lobbying tool to engage voters and to encourage local and state legislators to pass new laws on school food and other issues. Activists in other cities and states are beginning to adopt this approach.

The Guide to Community Preventive Services

This Web site of a nonfederal community task force on preventive services provides information on the strength of the evidence supporting various strategies for improving nutrition and promoting activity.

Healthy Eating

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Kidnetic.com

An interactive Web site for children ages 9 to 12 and their parents that promotes healthy eating and active living. It's a project of the International Food Information Council Foundation.

IFIC | Food Safety, Healthy Eating and Nutrition Information

This International Food Information Council Foundation web site also offers general nutrition information and child-feeding tips for parents. IFIC is supported by the food, beverage, and agricultural industries.

Food and Drug Administration - Food Labeling and Nutrition Education Tools

Learn how to read and interpret the nutrition information on food labels at this Web address, part of the Food and Drug Administration's Web site. Also provides a lesson kit on food labels for high school teachers.

Shape Up America!

A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

By clicking on the Food and Nutrition link, you can find the latest edition of the government's dietary guidelines, standard serving sizes, the Food Guide Pyramid (including recommended servings for children of different ages), facts about the federal school lunch program, and other valuable information. There's also an Interactive Healthy Eating Index and Physical Activity Tool that allows the user to input personal information about diet and activity patterns and get an individualized assessment.

Promoting Access to Fresh Foods

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Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Contains a list of farmers markets in every state, as well as information on obtaining federal funding or linking up with private organizations to establish or expand local farmers markets.

The Healthy Stores Project

Includes sample materials used to educate local consumers and promote healthy foods, as well as a list of helpful links.

The Food Trust

A Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization that operates farmers markets, promotes better nutrition in schools, and works to improve local availability of fresh foods. Helpful for anyone who wants to pursue such activities. The Food Trust and the Healthy Stores Project are also cooperating to form a national network of people and organizations around the country working on the issue of access to healthy foods.