California

Overweight and obesity have tremendous consequences on our nation's health and economy. Both are linked to a number of chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers. Most American communities are characterized by unhealthy options when it comes to diet and physical activity. We need public health approaches that make healthy options easy, affordable, and available for all Americans.

CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) currently funds 25 states to address the problems of obesity and other chronic diseases through statewide efforts with multiple partners.  The program's primary focus is to create policy and environmental changes to increase: physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and breastfeeding; and to decrease: television viewing, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, and consumption of high-energy dense foods (high calorie/low nutrient foods).  California received funding for this program from 2000–2002 and began a new five-year agreement in 2008.

The Burden of Obesity in California
California's estimated 2009 total population is nearly 37 million, with more than 27 million adults. Of those adults, approximately 36% are considered overweight and another 25% are considered obese, according to 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Problems are also seen in factors related to obesity and other chronic diseases.

• Almost one quarter of California adults report no leisure time physical activity in the past month.
  • Less than 30% report eating fruits and vegetables at least five times a day.

  The problem is not limited to adults. One in every nine California children and one in three teens are overweight or obese according to the 2007 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS).

  • Less than one-in-six California teens report at least one hour of physical activity per day.
  • Only 20% of teens and 48% of children report eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables on the previous day.
  • On average, adolescents report spending over two hours watching TV or using a computer for fun on the previous day.

  Obesity also affects the state's economy.  According to the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, California’s 2006 costs attributable to physical inactivity, obesity, and overweight were estimated at $41.2 billion—$21 billion for overweight and obesity and $20.2 billion for physical inactivity.

  What is California Doing about Obesity?

  Over the last three years, California has developed a robust California Obesity Prevention Program (COPP). With collaboration from stakeholders statewide, COPP updated the state’s Obesity Prevention Plan (2010).  With the updated Plan in place, sector and target area specific work groups are developing a detailed Implementation Plan.  During the 2010-2011 year, among other activities, COPP has funded eight diverse communities to implement policy and environmental change strategies targeting at least one of the six CDC-identified target areas.

  California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed many bills supporting changes in California’s food and physical activity environments by targeting government, school and industry policies and practices. Examples include the following:

  • Senate Bill (SB) 12 (2005) sets standards for foods all competitive foods sold in California public schools, limiting the amount of non-nutritious that can be sold in grades K–12. SB 965 (2005) sets standards for beverages sold in California Public Schools, and eliminates the sale of most sweetened beverages, including sodas. 
  • SB 441 (2007) requires that at least 35% of food choices and one-third of beverage choices in vending machines on state property adhere to accepted nutritional guidelines. 
  • SB 1420 and Assembly Bill (AB) 97 (2007) make California the first state to post calorie information on restaurant menus and menu boards, and to prohibit specified trans-fats from being served or used in the preparation of foods in restaurants and other food facilities. Collectively, these laws provide environmental support for healthier eating choices.
  • AB 32 (2006) requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. This bill is supported by SB 375, which aims to reduce carbon emissions and create incentives for more Californians to use alternative methods of transportation, including walking and biking. 
  • AB 1358 (2008) requires cities and counties to adopt complete streets policies that require roadways be designed to safely accommodate all users, including cyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, children, seniors and people with disabilities.
  • AB 2084 (2010) establishes standards for beverages served to children in California’s licensed child care facilities and homes.
  • SB 1413 (2010) requires public schools to ensure that free, fresh drinking water is available to students in school food service areas.
  In February 2010, Governor Schwarzenegger, along with President Bill Clinton, convened a Summit on Nutrition, Health, and Obesity, announcing his Administration’s sponsorship of a number of bills supporting nutrition and physical activity environments.  He also announced the establishment of the Health in All Policies Task Force charged with identifying priority actions and strategies for state agencies to improve community health.

  Through these activities and many others, California and CDC are addressing obesity by creating places where California residents can make healthy choices about nutrition and physical activity.

  For more information:
  Grace Huppert, MS, RD
  California Obesity Prevention Program
  California Department of Public Health
  1616 Capitol Avenue, MS 7211
  Sacramento, CA  95814
  Phone: 916.552.9891
  Email: Grace.Huppert@cdph.ca.gov
  Web site: http://cdph.ca.gov/obesityprevention

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