Industry Initiatives
There is no single cause for childhood obesity and no single solution. That is why the Alliance for a Healthier Generation approaches the issue from multiple directions, including brokering and implementing voluntary agreements with leaders in the food, beverage, fitness, and healthcare industries to create better access to healthier foods and beverages, physical activity and healthcare benefits for children across the country.
Healthier School Foods and Beverages
The Alliance is changing the landscape of foods and beverages served in our nation’s schools. Working with nutrition experts at the American Heart Association, the Alliance established nutrition guidelines for foods and beverages served in schools across the nation. The Alliance collaborates with companies large and small to provide healthier food and beverage choices for millions of children in schools across the nation.
The Alliance School Beverage and Competitive Foods Guidelines, voluntary agreements with the food, beverage, dairy and food service management industries initiated in 2006, have resulted in healthier choices available to students in U.S. schools – including a 58 percent decrease in total beverage calories shipped to schools between 2004 and the 2008 school year.
Healthcare Benefits for Children
The Alliance Healthcare Initiative is a collaboration with major health insurers, employers and national medical associations to provide children access to at least four follow up visits with their primary care provider and at least four follow up visits with a registered dietitian each year. The Alliance Healthcare Initiative currently provides the benefit to almost one million children nationwide, and plans to grow that number to more than six million by 2012.
PROFILE
Reynolds Middle School is taking advantage of a popular activity usually prohibited in schools, skating, to promote wellness. The "Skate in School" program acquires equipment and gives PE teachers guidance as they teach in-line skating.
