Recommendations for Action

Recommendations for Cities

·        Accelerate approval of development projects that increase physical activity and access to healthy foods.

·        Avoid developer-initiated, piecemeal development; use the General Plan to designate where new growth, infill or redevelopment will be allowed to occur.

·        Ensure that all planning be in the form of complete and integrated communities containing housing, shops, work places, schools, parks and civic facilities essential to the daily life of the residents.

·        Plan for streets, pedestrian paths and bike paths to contribute to a system of fully-connected and interesting routes with a design that encourages pedestrian and bicycle use.

·        Ensure that as many activities as possible be located within easy walking distance of transit stops.

·        Increase access to places for physical activity, i.e. exercise facilities, walking trails, and bike paths.

·        Work with urban planners and city officials to discourage the proliferation of fast food restaurants, and encourage community input throughout the zoning and planning process.

·        Encourage the development of joint/shared-use agreements among schools, parks, libraries, health care clinics and community organizations to increase opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating.

·        Implement farm-to-institution programs to make fresh locally-grown foods available to schools, hospitals, food banks, and other community places.

·        Require that healthy and affordable food options be provided by retail businesses such as grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

·        Publicly honor restaurants, businesses, and communities that offer healthy food and physical activity options.

Recommendations for Schools

·        Ensure physical education classes are in compliance with all relevant sections of the California Education Code.

·        Place a cap of 45 or less on physical education class size.

·        Mandate physical activity and nutrition education from K - 12 as part of a comprehensive school health curriculum to help students adopt lifelong healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.

·        Implement a formal Coordinated School Health Program.

·        Hire teachers with physical education credentials to conduct the elementary physical education program; ensure a Registered Dietitian is on staff for meal evaluations and nutrition counseling.

·        Provide professional development for teachers and administrators to implement grade-level guidelines for physical education and nutrition.

·        Eliminate the advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages on school grounds and the use of unhealthy foods in fundraising, incentives, and other promotional programs.

·        Incorporate into the construction and/or remodeling plans of all schools, adequate space for food services, physical education, and produce gardens either on-site or through joint-use agreements.

·        Allow school recreational facilities to be available for after-hours use by children and their families.

·        Institute policies that prohibit the use of physical activity as a punishment, or food as a reward.

·        Ensure that students have appealing, healthy choices in foods and beverages offered both within and outside of the school meals program.

Recommendations for Individuals and Families

·        Get at least 30-60 minutes of moderate physical activity everyday.  Select activities that your entire family enjoys doing together, such as walking, swimming, biking, dancing, or gardening.

·        Understand the energy balance equation: to lose weight, you must use more energy than you take in; to maintain your weight, your calorie intake must equal your energy output.

·        Start every day with a healthy breakfast and eat meals with your kids. 

·        Learn to read food labels so you buy foods that are low in fat, cholesterol, and salt, and high in fiber.

·        Reduce your family’s intake of sodas and fruit juice drinks. If you drink milk, drink low-fat or non-fat milk.

·        Limit TV watching and video games to less than 2 hours a day and avoid eating in front of the TV.

·        Learn the size of a recommended portion so you don’t overeat, and don’t “supersize” when eating out.

·        Eat 2 cups (4 servings) of fruits; 2 ½ cups (5 servings) of vegetables and at least 3 servings of whole grain each day.

Learn more about obesity in Los Angeles country:
*Health Disparities in Los Angeles (Powerpoint presentation)
*News from UCLA's School of Public Health Center to Eliminate Health Disparities (CEHD).