Running head: DEVELOPING ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN: CHILDHOOD OBESITY 1
Developing an Advocacy Campaign: Childhood Obesity
Claire Costello
Walden University
NURS 6050, Section 9: Policy and Advocacy from Improving Population Health
April 10, 2017
, DEVELOPING AN ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN: CHILDHOOD OBESITY 2
Childhood obesity is estimated to affect forty-two million children under the age of five
in 2015 (World Health Organization, n.d.). There are numerous factors contributing to childhood
obesity including poverty, genetics, demographics, social norms and behaviors. This is
concerning, as obesity has been linked to numerous diseases and chronic conditions, such as
cardiovascular disease—hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary disease—asthma, sleep apnea,
cancer, musculoskeletal issues, joint and arthritic conditions (McHugh, 2016)(Moore et al.,
2017).
Goals for my health campaign to reduce childhood obesity are as follows. 1. Increase
the availability of healthier food options and reduce the price to purchase such options by
offering more fruits and vegetables in school by 2020. In addition, having a system similar to
Woman Infant and Child (WIC) to ensure all individuals has access to healthy foods. 2. Remove
vending machines that contain foods and drinks with high sugar content, and provide healthier
alternatives by 2020. 3. Schools should require the federally mandated sixty minutes of
moderate-vigorous physical activity daily, as well as provide extra-curricular activities after
school by 2020. 4. Increase the availability of supermarkets in vulnerable areas, to provide an
alternative to fast food restaurants by 2030. The purpose of this paper is to review existing
legislature to distinguish whether modification to current legislation would help create my vision
on reduction of childhood obesity, or if new legislation would be needed.
Abstract
Increasing the availability of healthier food options and offering more fruits and
vegetables in schools is important to give students more accessibility and ability to consume
these food choices. Rhode Island House of Representatives Bill (H.R.) 6291 and Senate Bill (S.)
Developing an Advocacy Campaign: Childhood Obesity
Claire Costello
Walden University
NURS 6050, Section 9: Policy and Advocacy from Improving Population Health
April 10, 2017
, DEVELOPING AN ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN: CHILDHOOD OBESITY 2
Childhood obesity is estimated to affect forty-two million children under the age of five
in 2015 (World Health Organization, n.d.). There are numerous factors contributing to childhood
obesity including poverty, genetics, demographics, social norms and behaviors. This is
concerning, as obesity has been linked to numerous diseases and chronic conditions, such as
cardiovascular disease—hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary disease—asthma, sleep apnea,
cancer, musculoskeletal issues, joint and arthritic conditions (McHugh, 2016)(Moore et al.,
2017).
Goals for my health campaign to reduce childhood obesity are as follows. 1. Increase
the availability of healthier food options and reduce the price to purchase such options by
offering more fruits and vegetables in school by 2020. In addition, having a system similar to
Woman Infant and Child (WIC) to ensure all individuals has access to healthy foods. 2. Remove
vending machines that contain foods and drinks with high sugar content, and provide healthier
alternatives by 2020. 3. Schools should require the federally mandated sixty minutes of
moderate-vigorous physical activity daily, as well as provide extra-curricular activities after
school by 2020. 4. Increase the availability of supermarkets in vulnerable areas, to provide an
alternative to fast food restaurants by 2030. The purpose of this paper is to review existing
legislature to distinguish whether modification to current legislation would help create my vision
on reduction of childhood obesity, or if new legislation would be needed.
Abstract
Increasing the availability of healthier food options and offering more fruits and
vegetables in schools is important to give students more accessibility and ability to consume
these food choices. Rhode Island House of Representatives Bill (H.R.) 6291 and Senate Bill (S.)
