Healthy Eating in Communities

Food eaten away from home is a contributing factor to poor diet quality and obesity.

Healthy Eating in Communities Each meal eaten away from home averages 134 excess calories

Healthy Eating in Communities Individuals do not compensate for these additional calories The result is weight gain Access to healthier choices is key

HEALTHIER FOOD CHOICES The meaning of:

Healthier Food Choices SHIP 3 limits the definition of “healthy foods” to four dietary behaviors that are most likely to improve chronic disease risk factors

Leading Causes of Death and Disability BMI Total Cholesterol Blood Pressure Heart Disease Stroke Cancer Diabetes Depression Clinical Risk Factors to Improve

Dietary Behavior Changes That Improve Risk Factors More Fruits More Vegetables Less Sodium Less Saturated Fat Less Added Sugar BMI Total Cholesterol Blood Pressure

SHIP Logic for Healthy Eating  By increasing fruits and vegetables and decreasing sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar  We improve BMI, cholesterol, and blood pressure

SHIP Logic for Healthy Eating  By improving BMI, cholesterol, and blood pressure we prevent the onset or severity of chronic diseases  By preventing or delaying chronic diseases, we reduce health care costs in Minnesota

Priority Populations Focus Strategies Where They are Needed Most

What is a Priority Population? Communities that have higher chronic disease rates than average

Example: Communities of Pipestone and Grant

What is a Priority Population? Communities that lack access to motorized transportation and live in a food desert or a food swamp

What is a Priority Population? Communities that have low incomes

Priority Populations Focus efforts where impact is greatest Reach should include as many people in the targeted communities as possible Remember that the goal is to improve access to the SHIP definition of healthier foods

ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS Design nutrition strategies to increase

Access to Healthier Foods You can’t increase consumption of healthier foods until you first increase access to healthier foods

Strategies that Increase Access to Healthier Food Choices Farm to Fork  Farmer’s Markets  Mobile Markets  Farm to School  Community Supported Agriculture  Community Gardens

Strategies to Increase Access to Healthier Food Choices Vending Sweeping changes using strict standards might cause unnecessary resistance Reducing sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar from a baseline assessment can be a more effective approach than standards

Strategies to Increase Access to Healthier Food Choices Retail Outlets Corner Stores Grocery Stores Menus in non-chain restaurants

Strategies to Increase Access to Healthier Food Choices Concessions Fairs Parks Movie Theaters Sports Events Food Courts

Strategies to Increase Access to Healthier Food Choices Emergency Food Programs Efforts should influence the kinds of food that end up in the emergency food program Target audiences can include purchasers, donors, food shelf operators, and clients The goal is to have an increase in the number of healthier food options.

HEALTHY EATING ACTIVE LIVING (HEAL) LEARNING NETWORKS Technical Assistance and Training

What is HEAL MN? Healthy Eating Active Living (New!) Regionally Based Resource Network for local public health agency staff Facilitated by the University of Minnesota (Extension, Community Vitality, School of Public Health, etc.)

What Does HEAL MN Do? Acts as a communication conduit between MDH and local public health staff regardless of funding Provides opportunity for local public health to share resources and problem solve Is a source of research-based, relevant, and real-time TA and training

What Does a HEAL MN Meeting Look Like? Consist of 2 half day trainings Healthy Eating in the morning Active Living in the afternoon

What Does a HEAL MN Meeting Look Like? AM First hour MDH will connect via distance-learning technology to exchange important information U of M staff will facilitate remaining time to provide TA/Training on a region-specific issue

What Does a HEAL MN Meeting Look Like? PM Active Living Facilitators will replace the U of M Process will be repeated for Physical Activity content strategies

Sample HEAL MN Agenda

For More Information threform/ship/training.html