Resources - Healthy Foods

Publications

What's For Lunch? When's Recess? (2005)
An article from NCSL's State Legislatures magazine highlighting the measures being taken to reduce overweight and obesity in schools, including state action through legislation.
The High Cost of Obesity (2004)
A StateStats article from NCSL's State Legislatures magazine briefly describing the obesity epidemic in the U.S., as well as estimated medical costs attributable to obesity and obesity trends among U.S. adults.
Got Milk? How About Calcium? (2003)
A brief article from NCSL's State Legislatures magazine describing national calcium initiatives aimed at increasing calcium consumption in schools.

Diabetes: Rising Rates, Disability and Death (October 2006)
An NCSL Legisbrief highlighting the recent increase in diabetes, as well as actions being taken at the state and federal level.
Health Epidemics on Tribal Lands (June/July 2006)
An NCSL Legisbrief describing health risks that American Indian and Alaska Native populations are increasingly facing, including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Also includes highlights of actions being taken at both the tribal and state level.
Vending Machines and Competitive Foods in Schools (2003)
This Legisbrief discusses how schools supplement their tight budgets with vending machines and other competitive food sales. Available to NCSL members only.

Access to Healthy Foods
An NCSL menu page containing information and various resources regarding healthy food and more.
Childhood Obesity -- 2005 Update and Overview of Policy Options (2005)
An NCSL Web page providing information regarding obesity and its risks and costs, as well as a chart of relevant legislative approaches considered or enacted in 2005, state legislation on childhood obesity policy options in 2005, and summaries of other relevant 2005 legislation.
Child Nutrition Program
An NCSL webpage containing resources pertaining to both eligibility and issues for states regarding child nutrition programs.
Diabetes Legislation
Includes state laws mandating diabetes health coverage.
Food Policy Councils
An NCSL Web page highlighting various food policy councils, including those in Iowa and Connecticut.
Hunger and Nutrition
An NCSL menu page with various resources pertaining to hunger and nutrition.
State Issues in Child Nutrition: Direct Certification and Local Wellness Policies (April 2005) An NCSL Web page describing the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, which reauthorized all child nutrition programs for five years, expanded program eligibility, and made a number of changes intended to improve program access and streamline program administration.
Women's Health and Diabetes
Quick facts for women about diabetes.

Fitness, Food and Finding Solutions: Approaches to Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Treatment
(January, 2006) An NCSL Research and Policy Report providing information on how policy makers are striving to promote opportunities for physical activity and healthy food choices in schools, workplaces and communities.
Moving into Action: Promoting Heart-Healthy and Stroke-Free Communities
A CDC publication for legislators addressing preventive activities to promote cardiovascular health.