Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States: Implementation and Measurement Guide

This is the result of an innovative and collaborative process that seeks to reverse the U.S. obesity epidemic by transforming communities into places where healthy lifestyle choices are easily incorporated into everyday life. Where we live, work, learn, worship, and play affects the choices we make, and in turn, our health. As such, the policies and environments that shape and define a community will also affect the health outcomes of its citizens. For example, communities that enact policies which increase access to affordable healthy food options and safe opportunities for physical activity create an environment by which individuals may be more likely to adopt a healthy eating, active living lifestyle. Reversing the U.S. obesity epidemic will require population level change that focuses on adopting policies and creating environments that support healthier lifestyle choices.