MAINE OBESITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

Recommendations

To reduce obesity and the medical conditions associated with obesity, with emphasis on populations experiencing race, health and social inequities, that result in poor health, higher medical costs, and negative impacts on quality of life in Maine.

Read our new Call to Action

Full Report PDF
Executive Summary PDF

INCREASE THE CONSUMPTION OF HEALTHIER FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Recommendation:
Increase access to, and the affordability of, healthier food and beverages that also address barriers in underresourced communities

Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A policy exists to require the inclusion of healthy options for food and beverages where food is served or sold

Environmental Measures

  • Drinking water is safe and available
  • Healthy options are available in vending machines
  • Healthy options are available for school concessions/ boosters

Filter Standards and Resources by Setting:

Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A policy exists to reduce the cost of healthier food and beverages relative to the cost of less healthy food and beverages

Environmental Measures

  • Healthy options are priced lower than less healthy options in vending machines
  • Implementation and utilization of vouchers or other cost-reducing mechanisms specific to healthy foods

Filter Standards and Resources by Setting:

Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A policy exists that encourages the production, distribution, or procurement of food from local farms
  • A policy exists that calls for the inclusion of locally sourced food and beverages in settings where food is sold or served
  • A policy exists that prioritizes the purchase of locally grown food by institutions

Environmental Measures

  • Locally sourced food and beverages incorporated into meal plans/menus
  • Participation in community gleaning projects
  • Funding and/or partnerships to transport food from farms to schools and large worksites
  • Farm shares are available at worksites
  • Food co-ops exist
  • Partnerships between local farms and food pantries
  • A municipal or regional food policy council exists

Recommendation:

Increase public communications that support the consumption of healthier food and beverages and are culturally relevant

Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A policy exists that increases the visibility and appeal of healthier food and beverages
  • A policy exists that promotes healthy food and beverage choices at the point of purchase or selection

Environmental Measures

  • Prominence, placement, and/or promotion of healthy food choices
  • Proportion of healthy versus unhealthy food and beverages offered for sale

DECREASE THE CONSUMPTION OF LESS HEALTHY FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Recommendation:

Decrease access to, and the affordability of, less healthy food and beverages that also address challenges in underresourced communities

Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A policy exists that restricts the serving and selling of less healthy food and beverages
  • A policy exists that eliminates or reduces less healthy food and beverages in vending machines and other self-serve options

Environmental Measures

  • Availability and frequency of less healthy choices for snacks and celebrations
  • Availability and sales of less healthy food and beverages at concessions/boosters

Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A policy exists that increases the cost of less healthy food choices relative to the cost of healthy food choices.

Environmental Measures

  • Less healthy options are priced higher than healthier options in vending machines
  • Taxes or surcharges on less healthy foods and beverages

Filter Standards and Resources by Setting:

Resources

  • No resources available for this setting at this time.

Resources

  • No resources available for this setting at this time.

Standards

  • No suggested standards for this setting at this time.

Resources

  • No resources available for this setting at this time.

Standards

  • No suggested standards for this setting at this time.

Recommendation:

Decrease public communications that support the consumption of less healthy food and beverages, including those aimed at underresourced communities

Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A policy exists that reduces the visibility and appeal of less healthy food choices
  • A policy exists that limits or prohibits advertising and promotion of less healthy food and beverages

Environmental Measures

  • Prominence, placement, or promotional signage for less healthy food and beverages
  • Educational tools and activities sponsored by food and beverage brands
  • Fundraisers and funds raised using less healthy versus healthier food and beverages