I got more than a T-shirt from Washington, D.C.

by Eric Aakko, Healthy Eating Unit Supervisor with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

I went to Washington, D.C. to see the White House garden (and attend the Weight of the Nation Conference). Although the Secret Service prevented me from getting close to the First Lady garden, I did experience a thought-provoking conference related to obesity prevention. Some of the conference highlights:

• HBO screened their new documentary “The Weight of the Nation.” The 4-part nationwide release will be on Monday May 14 (Parts 1 and 2) and Tuesday May 15 (Parts 3 and 4). HBO will make access free for this event.
• AmeriCorps is instituting a new program called “Food Corps” where students can volunteer for a year to assist local communities and schools with implementing local agriculture and nutrition education.
• The Institute of Medicine released their seminal report “Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention-Solving the Weight of the Nation.” 

The report details five key goals to address obesity:

• Goal 1: Make physical activity an integral and routine part of life.
• Goal 2: Create food and beverage environments that ensure that healthy food and beverage options are the routine, easy choice.
• Goal 3: Transform messages about physical activity and nutrition.
• Goal 4: Expand the role of health care providers, insurers, and employers in obesity prevention.
• Goal 5: Make schools a national focal point for obesity prevention.

Some other noteworthy highlights include how junk food marketing to children is used to build brand preferences and tastes at an early age and the expanding interest in increasing access to healthy food for communities. For example, the City of Cleveland, Ohio, has made remarkable progress in increasing healthier food access.

On a final note, Vice President Joe Biden’s motorcade roared passed me while I sat outside our hotel—I waved—but he seemed preoccupied. That’s okay; he’s a busy man right now.

For more information, contact Eric Aakko @ eric.aakko@state.co.us