Please first choose an audience and then choose a strategy in order to see what other states have done for a specific audience using a particular strategy.

To assist states in finding programs and policies that meet particular needs and capabilities, we have provided a relative cost rating system that estimates the cost of participating in or replicating these initiatives.

There are a number of settings where programs or policies can be implemented with a mind towards promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles:

Individuals and Families

Preventive care and educational services that motivate families or individuals to increase physical activity and eat healthier can be offered to families or individuals by primary care providers or other professionals such as dietitians or nutritional counselors (However, primary care providers typically aren’t reimbursed by third-party payers for advising and educating on these topics). Some insurers have expanded covered benefits to include lifestyle products and services. Community organizations can provide personal or family counseling programs, while employers can offer such benefits through employee assistance programs. In general, family-oriented approaches are more effective than those geared toward individuals.

Schools

The school system is a logical place to focus efforts geared towards children, since 90 percent of American children attend schools daily. They are a natural setting for education and information efforts, and they offer an opportunity to improve lifestyle choices available to students through the meals they serve, through physical activity programs and through after-school activities that keep children away from excessive time in front of the television or computer, or playing video games. While many states are seeking to mandate more stringent physical education requirements, currently only one stateIllinoisrequires daily physical education for all students in grades K-12. In general, school-based obesity interventions show positive but modest results.

Employers

Employers, particularly those who offer health care benefits, face significant incentives to keep their existing workforce healthy and vigorous. And as Americans work longer hours, the workplace becomes an ideal setting to implement environmental changes related to healthy living. Many employers provide healthy options in office cafeterias, install stairways and encourage their use among employees, build work spaces on a sprawling campus with walking and biking trails and offer workshops on healthy living for their employees. In some cases, employers subsidize fitness center memberships or enrollment in weight loss programs for their employees.

Food Industry

The food industry faces the challenge of satisfying consumer expectations for taste, quality, and price. Even so, its sensitivity to consumer trends and its mass marketing expertise makes it a valuable partner in efforts to promote healthy lifestyles. It can—and in many cases, already does—work to inform consumers, strengthen nutrition education, and develop healthier product choices. These goals can be achieved through action taken by the industry itself, through policy reforms at all levels of government, and through cooperation between the food industry, government, and the scientific community. The industry could be encouraged to make clear, consistent, and honest product claims, and to work with retailers and restaurants to offer consumers relevant information about the products they purchase. It can promote nutrition education at all levels, from public schools to medical schools, and enhance nutrition awareness at the consumer level. Industry can also create new products that meet individual nutritional needs, reformulate existing products to be healthier, and provide controlled portion sizes.

The Media

Just as the media can help market goods and products, including unhealthy foods, print and electronic media can disseminate ideas relevant to weight loss and obesity prevention. Public health organizations disseminate such media messages either broadly to a general audience or tailored to target specific audiences. Adding to the messages of public health organizations are the marketing efforts of weight loss focused industries including the fitness and diet industries. Aside from paid advertising, commercial media outlets may be encouraged to produce and air news of special interest features describing dangers associated with obesity and disseminating information on how to avoid obesity through healthy living.

Communities and Urban Planners

Community and urban environments are an increasingly important setting for strategies to promote healthy lifestyles. Since research has demonstrated the connection between healthy lifestyles and individuals’ physical surroundings, public health experts suggest that creation of sidewalks, parks, public walkways and bike trails as methods for increasing physical activity.