Obesity: Strategies and Solutions

There is no single or simple solution to the childhood obesity epidemic, but learn what states, communities, and parents can do to help make the healthy choice the easy choice for children, adolescents, and their families.

For States and communities

• Assess their retail food environment to better understand the current landscape and differences in accessibility to healthier foods. 
• Provide incentives to existing supermarkets and farmers' markets to establish their businesses in low-income areas or to sell healthier foods.
• Expand programs that bring local fruits and vegetables to schools.
• Put salad bars in schools. 

• Pursue a “Spectrum of Opportunities” to help early care and education facilities in their jurisdictions support optimal nutrition, breastfeeding, physical activity and screen time standards and practices.

• Enroll elementary, middle, and high schools in USDA's Team Nutrition program and apply for certification through the HealthierUS School Challenge.
• Increase access to free drinking water and limit the sale of drinks with added sugars in schools by establishing school wellness and nutrition policies.
• Support breastfeeding in hospitals and the workplace.
• Create and maintain safe neighborhoods for physical activity and improve access to parks and playgrounds.
• Support quality daily physical education in schools and daily physical activity in child care facilities.

For Parents

• Follow the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics and limit media time for kids to no more than 1 to 2 hours of quality programming per day whether at home, school or child care.
• Visit the child care centers to see if they serve healthier foods and drinks, and limit TV and video time.
• Work with schools to limit foods and drinks with added sugars, fat and salt that can be purchased outside the school lunch program.

• Provide plenty of fruits and vegetables, limit foods high in fat and sugars, and prepare healthier foods at family meals.
• Serve your family water instead of drinks with added sugars.
• Make sure your child gets physical activity each day.