What is Indiana Doing about Obesity?
The state is in a start-up and planning phase to build capacity and infrastructure. One of the first tasks for the Indiana State Department of Health’s Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity (DNPA) is to develop a state obesity prevention plan (Indiana Healthy Weight Initiative). DNPA staff members have been adding partners to a statewide taskforce that will assist in developing and implementing the plan, focused on nutrition, physical activity, and obesity goals and objectives. Newly identified partners include: transportation representatives; city planners; organizations representing grocers, restaurants, and convenience stores; community foundations; and, the state chamber of commerce. They are also developing strategies to implement and evaluate the state plan once it is finalized. With DNPA’s assistance, a measure that called for the collection of height and weight data in grades 3, 5, and 7, became part of the governor’s legislative agenda during the most recent session of t
