Overweight children in Washington State are more likely to be sick, especially with serious and chronic illnesses, than kids who aren’t overweight. They are more likely to be depressed, both as kids and later in life. Science tells us that the rising epidemic of childhood obesity is having large-scale impacts, and could even trigger a decline in our average life span. Low-income children and children of color are disproportionately affected by this epidemic.

Individual approaches to improving nutrition and activity are important. But, to turn the tide of the obesity epidemic, policy change and investment is essential. It takes system wide change to make the healthy choice the easy choice.

In 2004, the Washington State Legislature passed a law (SB 5436) that required every school district in the state to adopt a nutrition and physical activity policy. Washington’s 2007 Cover All Kids law includes nutrition and physical activity goals to be met by all schools by 2010. While the passage of such legislation is significant, much more remains to be done to improve the nutrition and physical-activity environment for all children across the state.

To further address the childhood obesity epidemic, the Children’s Alliance spearheaded a strategic planning process in 2007-2008. A major outcome of this strategic effort is the establishment of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition (PDF). The Coalition brings together the multiple sectors that are essential to reversing this epidemic: health, food and nutrition, physical activity, transportation and mobility, built environment, disease prevention, and others.

The Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition has established key outcomes:

• Increase the number of Washington children who are physically active on a daily basis.
• Improve children’s access to and demand for healthful foods.
• Make it easier for families to be part of an active community.

Policy decisions have made childhood obesity an epidemic in Washington State. We’ve allowed children to be surrounded with high-calorie, low-quality foods at school. We’ve cut back on physical activity and created neighborhoods where no one can walk to school. We’ve reduced access to nutrition and health education in schools. Policy changes are necessary to turn this epidemic around.

For more information on the Children’s Alliance’s work to support childhood obesity prevention visit our resources page or contact Jon Gould.