Preventing Chronic Disease (Aug 2013)

Assessing Public Policies and Assets That Affect Obesity Risk While Building New Public Health Partnerships, New Hampshire, 2011

  • Ludmila Anderson, MD, MPH,
  • Scot Foster, BS,
  • Regina Flynn, BS,
  • Mindy Fitterman, MEd, RD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd10.120349
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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The New Hampshire Obesity Prevention Program and the 9 New Hampshire regional planning commissions assessed the state’s obesity-related policies and assets by using community measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A self-administered questionnaire that focused on policies and assets that promote healthful eating, physical activity, and breast-feeding was sent to 234 municipalities; 59% responded (representing 73% of the state’s population). Of the municipalities that responded, 52% had sidewalks, 22% had bicycle lanes, none had nutrition standards, and 4% had a policy supporting breastfeeding. Through collaboration, we gathered baseline information that can be used to set priorities and assess progress over time.

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