Childhood Obesity – State of Oregon Legislation and Federal Legislation
Ann Klinger
DeVry University
HSM410 Health Care Policy
Professor Patricia Devin
Week #7
February 23, 2013

Childhood Obesity – State of Oregon Legislation and Federal Legislation
Summary
On June 21, 2004 Senator Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Senator Bill Frist, introduced to the 108th Congress Senate Bill S.2551 entitled Childhood Obesity Reduction Act. This bill was to “combat childhood obesity for children in Oregon and throughout the nation, and urged that Congress take the lead in curbing the epidemic by passing the Childhood Obesity Reduction Act. The legislation, would establish a Congressional Council on Childhood Obesity to promote the following activities and to encourage every U.S. elementary and middle school to develop and implement a plan to reduce and prevent obesity, promote improved nutritional choices, and promote increased physical activity:” ("Wyden combats childhood," October 2004 Press Release).
United States Senate bill S.2551 failed, but all 50 states and the Federal government are continuing to make efforts to reduce childhood obesity. My paper will review legislation the State of Oregon has implemented to reduce childhood obesity. I will provide an overview of Federal government legislation that has been implemented to reduce childhood obesity.
Statistics report, “since 1980 obesity has more than doubled among children ages 2 to 5, and youths 6 to 11 rates have grown from 7% to almost 18% and adolescents 12 to 19 rates have grown from 5% to 18%” (Yes we can,” 2007, pg. 20). In 2005 the State Oregon’s obesity rate for adolescents was almost 28%.
Childhood obesity, no matter what the age or race, can cause serious health effects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health effects include the following: * “Youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure…pre-diabetes…and are at greater risk for bone and joint problems. * Being obese as adults and being at risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer…including cancer of the breast, colon, bladder and Hodgkin’s lymphoma” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013 Obesity-Facts-Adolescent and School Health).
Legislation and Bills Addressing Childhood Obesity – State of Oregon
During my research I located Senate and House Bills from the Oregon legislature that either directed the Oregon Health Policy Commission to work on preventing childhood obesity or to have task forces created to address childhood obesity in Oregon. Some of the senate bills did not come to fruition, but may have helped to create task forces to look at childhood obesity.
Oregon Senate and House Bills
Senate Bill 675 and Senate Bill 1076. In 2005, Oregon Senator Richard Devlin introduced Senate Bill 675, which would direct the “Oregon Health Policy Commission to study the problem of childhood obesity in Oregon for the purpose of developing a comprehensive strategy to address the problem of childhood obesity” (Devlin, Monnes, & Walker, 2005). The Oregon Senate Committee on Health Policy approved the bill unanimously but, the Oregon House of Representatives removed the portion from the Senate Bill regarding childhood obesity being studied by the Health Policy Commission. The requirement for the Health Policy Commission was then added to Senate Bill 1076. Senate Bill 1076 actually describes the duties of the Health Policy Commission and was passed by both the Senate and House of Representatives and became effective August 2005.
Senate Bill 662. This bill was created in 2005 and prohibits school districts in Oregon from selling food and beverages in vending machines that do not meet established nutritional values. Results from this bill included no vending machines in elementary schools and more water and fruit juice offerings in vending machines. Food offerings in the vending machines must meet established nutritional standards.
Senate Bill 860. In 2005, Senate Bill 860 was along the same lines as Senate Bill 662 and that school boards were to work on promoting student wellness through established nutrition guidelines and other standards. The school boards were to create not only goals for nutrition education, but goals for physical education as well.
House Bill 3601. This House Bill was created in 2008 and established the Oregon Farm-to-School program along with the School Garden program. With the creation of these two programs legislation is helping to provide more fresh food to students. Plus the Farm-to-School program also assists local farmers with more companies (the school districts) purchasing their products.
Oregon Programs Addressing Childhood Obesity
Oregon legislation has created task forces such as the Oregon Health Improvement Plan Commission and the Task Force for a Comprehensive Obesity Prevention Initiative. Along with these task forces the following laws have been passed in Oregon: * Healthy Foods for Healthy Students Act (2007) – this act creates guidelines for food and beverages that are sold to schools in Oregon. * Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Legislation (2008) – assists schools in purchasing foods from local farmers and assists schools in creating their own gardens. * Physical education standards for public schools (2007) – establishes how much physical education time is required on a weekly basis for students in grades kindergarten through grade 8. School districts are to be in compliance by the year 2017.
The following table and graph from the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division report on Oregon Overweight, Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition Facts, published in 2012 shows the “percentage of Oregon eighth-graders and 11th-graders who were overweight or obese by year, 2001 – 2009” (Oregon Health Authority, 2012. Pg. 14 - 15). From the chart you will be able to see a steady incline each year in the obesity rate except in 2009 for eleventh graders who showed just over a 1.5% decrease in obesity.

Eighth - graders
Eighth - graders

Eleventh-graders
Eleventh-graders

Farm-to-School Program. The State of Oregon has a statewide coordinator in the Oregon Department of Education who assists in implementing the Farm-to-School program within Oregon public schools. The Farm-to-School program “actively supports farm to school initiatives and policy action, and includes state agencies, food service directors, farmers, teachers, parents, school gardeners and community-based organizations. As of February 2013 only 53 schools out of 1,304 in the state of Oregon are participating in this program” (Kemple, 2013. Oregon Profile).
Healthy Cafeterias. Many schools in Oregon are improving the meals being offered to students by offering healthy alternatives. Healthy alternatives include more fruit and vegetable offerings, as well as vegetarian food. Fat-free and 1% milk are made available instead of whole milk.
Be a Fit Kid. “Be a Fit Kid is fitness-emphasize physical activity and heart-healthy nutrition education program for elementary school children” (Slawta, Ph.D. & DeNeui, Ph.D., 2009. Pg. 1.). This program was originally tested as an after-school program at four schools in Southern Oregon. Due to the success of the after-school program, Be a Fit Kid became part of the fourth-grade curriculum at elementary schools in Ashland, Oregon. Elementary schools in Southern Oregon are continuing to work to bring Be a Fit Kid into their curriculum and adding other age groups.
Oregon - Goals and Strategies
Statewide Physical Activity and Nutrition Plan 2007 – 2012. The Nutrition Council of Oregon and the Oregon Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity worked together to create a report that provided recommendations to improve the health of children in Oregon as well as adults. One of the goals established for schools and child care centers was to have them “offer only healthy food choices, be free of food and beverage marketing and fund-raising activity, and support children and youth in meeting daily physical activity recommendations. In addition, child care settings will eliminate or limit time in front of television and video screens and increase the number of schools participating in Farm to School, a program in which local farmers provide fresh fruits and vegetables directly to schools for children’s meals” (Chism, Cleveland, Doughtery, Hudson, Kabel & Mead, et. Al 2007, pg. 3).
Other strategies created for schools and child care centers were to establish the following for implementation by the year 2010 and 2012: 1. “The Oregon Department of Education will develop and implement policies and practices promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in schools. 2. The Department of Education will establish and implement standards to ensure food is not used as a reward in school settings. 3. Child care settings, including pre-schools will have policies limiting access to screen time in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations. 4. Seventy-five percent of schools by 2012 will participate in Farm-to-School programs including school based gardens. 5. By 2012 increase by 10 percent the number of Oregon children and youth ages 2 and older who meet the minimum recommendations for physical activity and education” (Chism, Cleveland, Doughtery, Hudson, Kabel & Mead, et. Al 2007, pg. 30 - 32).
Federal Legislation Addressing Childhood Obesity
United States Senate Bill 799. This Senate Bill, was introduced by Senator Edward Kennedy in April 2005, and is known as the Prevention of Childhood Obesity Act. “The bill would amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the coordination of the Federal Government policies and activities to prevent obesity in childhood, and would provide for State childhood obesity prevention and control programs. It would also establish grant programs to prevent childhood obesity within homes, schools, and communities. The Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in accordance with NIHs Strategic Plan for Obesity Research, would be required to expand and intensify research that addresses the prevention of childhood obesity.” No further action occurred on this bill during the 109th Congress and the bill did not pass” (“Legislative Update”. pending legislation).
United States Senate Bill 3307. This Senate Bill is known as the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. President Barack Obama approved this bill in December 2010. The legislation helps to improve nutrition in the schools, as well as providing assistance and changes to the Women, Infants, and Children program, Summer Food Service program, and Child and Adult Care Food program. One of the main initiatives to be created from this Act was First Lady, Michelle Obama’s program Lets Move.
White House Obesity Initiative
Let’s Move. The Let’s Move campaign is “dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let's Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping kids become more physically active” (Let's Move, 2010. Learn the Facts).
As part of this campaign President Barack Obama created a task force to work specifically on childhood obesity prevention, the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity. The task force presented their findings in February 2011. The goal of this task force is to reduce childhood obesity to a rate of 5% by the year 2030.
Following is a brief summary of their recommendations for improved nutrition and physical activity. * “USDA should work to connect school meals programs to local growers, and use farm-to-school programs, where possible, to incorporate more fresh, appealing food in school meals * Schools should be encouraged to make improvements in their school meal programs through the Healthier US Schools Challenge in advance of updated Federal standards. * Where possible, use school gardens to educate students about healthy eating. * Developers of local school wellness policies should be encouraged to include strong physical activity components, on par with nutrition components. * The President’s Challenge should be updated to ensure consistency with the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and to ensure ease of use and implementation by schools. * State and local educational agencies should be encouraged to increase the quality and frequency of sequential, age- and developmentally- appropriate physical education for all students, taught by certified PE teachers” (Barnes, 2010. Pgs. 93-94, 97-98)
Other Initiatives to Fight Childhood Obesity
As childhood obesity becomes an increasing concern, I found a few task forces and initiatives established to help fight and prevent childhood obesity. I have provided a brief summary of a few campaigns from the American Academy of Pediatrics website. * “Alliance for a Healthier Generation - The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a partnership between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation. They have come together to fight one of our nation's leading health threats – childhood obesity. Along with their co-leader Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, the Alliance will work nationally to create awareness and real solutions for the childhood obesity epidemic. * CDC VERB Campaign - is an awareness campaign launched by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to encourage positive physical activity among tweens, youth age 9-13. VERB communicates ideas for fun physical activities via television, radio, print, and the Internet as well as out-of-home outlets such as movie theaters, billboards, city buses, and in schools. * President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) - serves as a catalyst to promote, encourage, and motivate Americans of all ages to become physically active and participate in sports. * Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Childhood Obesity Program - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's goal is to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015 by improving access to affordable, healthy foods and increasing opportunities for physical activity in schools and communities across the nation” (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2013, Quick Links-Partners and Endorsed Campaigns). Conclusion United States Senate bill S.2551 did not pass, but the senate bill was instrumental in bringing recognition to the problem of childhood obesity. With the defeat of senate bill 2551 Federal initiatives and other legislation have passed to help combat childhood obesity. Based upon programs being created such as Let’s Move and initiatives in the State of Oregon, I believe legislation is addressing the issue of childhood obesity. The success of the Federal and State programs has not been disclosed as of yet. The state of Oregon established a time frame for a few initiatives to be implemented by the end of 2012. I would anticipate by the end of 2013 Oregonians would hear the results of the initiatives and that a decrease in childhood obesity is occurring. The White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity implemented a goal of reducing childhood obesity to 5% by the year 2030. I would hope the legislation being implemented is successful because childhood obesity leads to adult obesity. Obesity means a higher rate of health care issues and this leads to an increase in death rates and health care expenses. With health care costs increasing I believe individuals would rather be healthy and not spend the majority of their money on health care costs.

References
2011 state legislation report. State Government Affairs, 43. (Retrieved 01/30/2013) from website http://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/state-advocacy/ Documents/ 2011_State_Legislation_Report
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2013). Prevention and treatment of childhood overweight and obesity. Retrieved from website http://www2.aap.org/obesity/index.html
Barnes, M. White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity, (2010). Solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. Retrieved from website: http://www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/TaskForce_on_Childhood_Obesity_May2010_FullReport.pdf
Boyce, V. (2012, February 23). Oregon wellness champions take up the obesity challenge. Retrieved from website http://www.ode.state.or.us/news/ announcements/ announcement.aspx?id=8063
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, January 28). Childhood obesity facts. Retrieved February 13, 2013 from website www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm
Chism, J, Cleveland, M, Doughtery, J, Hudson, D, Kabel, C, Mead, J, et.al. Oregon Department of Human Services. Nutrition Council of Oregon and the Oregon Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity. (2007). Statewide Physical Activity and Nutrition Plan: 2007 – 2012. Retrieved on 1 February 2013 from the State of Oregon government website. http://public.health.oregon.gov/PreventionWellness/PhysicalActivity/Documents/PAN_rpt_07.pdf Devlin, R., Monnes, A., & Walker, 73rd Oregon Legislative Assembly, 2005 Regular Session. (2005). Senate bill 675. Retrieved from website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/05reg/measpdf/sb0600.dir/sb0675.intro.pdf Kemple, M. (2013, February 4). National farm to school program. Retrieved February 9, 2013 from http://www.farmtoschool.org/OR/ Legislative update - childhood obesity. (2013, January 29). Retrieved from http://olpa.od.nih.gov/legislation/109/pendinglegislation/childobesity.asp Let's Move. (2010, February). Learn the facts: Let's move. Retrieved from http://www.letsmove.gov/learn-facts/epidemic-childhood-obesity Oregon Health Authority. Public Health Division, Health Promotion & Chronic Disease Prevention Program. (2012). Oregon overweight, obesity, physical activity and nutrition facts. Retrieved from website: www.healthoregon.org/pan Slawta, Ph.D., J., & DeNeui, Ph.D., D. (2009). Be a fit kid: Nutrition and physical activity for the fourth grade. Health Promotion Practice, 1-8. doi: 10.1177/1524839908438992 Winterfield, A. (2010, January). Childhood obesity - 2009 update of legislative policy options. National Conference of State Legislatures. (Retrieved 02/09/2013) from http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/childhood-obesity-2009.aspx
Wyden combats childhood obesity epidemic in oregon, nationwide. (2004, October 5). Retrieved January 14, 2013 from http://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-combats-childhood-obesity-epidemic-in-oregon-nationwide
Yes we can. (2007, Summer). Healthy Children, (Summer), 20, 23. (Retrieved 01/30/2013) from http://www.healthychildren.org/English/our-mission/Pages/Healthy-Children-Summer-2007.aspx