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.

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INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Recommendation:
Increase safe and accessible opportunities for physical education and physical activity

Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A school district policy requires a minimum number of minutes per week of physical education, by grade, for all K-12 students
  • A school district policy requires K-12 students to be physically active for at least 50% of the time spent in physical education classes
  • A school district policy requires the availability of physical activity minutes outside of physical education
  • A school district policy exists that prohibits the taking away of recess as a punishment
  • A school district policy establishes a comprehensive plan and timeline for reaching evidence-based recommendations for physical education and physical activity, by grade, for all K-12 students
  • The Maine Department of Education provides professional development and technical assistance for using the Physical Education Analysis Tool
  • Adoption of a standardized PE curriculum and PE time-tracking system among all school districts

Environmental Measures

  • Student time spent in physical education class, including time spent physically active, by grade
  • Student time spent physically active outside of physical education class, by grade
  • Annual progress reports submitted to school boards and school districts, including actual minutes of physical education and minutes available for physical activity, by grade

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Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A policy exists that allows the use of school, college and/or municipal grounds and athletic facilities by the public on a regular basis

Environmental Measures

  • Availability of physical activity programs outside the school setting
  • Accessibility and safety of physical activity programs outside the school setting
  • Promotion of physical activity programs outside the school setting
  • Participation in physical activity programs outside the school setting

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Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A licensed childcare facility policy exists that does not allow screen time for children under the age of 2 years
  • A licensed childcare facility policy exists that restricts digital device use to 30 minutes per week in no more than 15-minute increments for educational or physical activity purposes only for children over the age of 2 years old

Environmental Measures

  • Childcare providers educated on the benefits of limiting screen time for children
  • Parents educated on the benefits of limiting recreational screen time

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Recommendation:
Increase public communications that support physical activity and are culturally relevant

Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A municipal or workplace policy exists requiring signage to promote physical activity and physical activity options

Environmental Measures

  • Signage present and/or created to promote physical activity and physical activity options
  • Prominence and reach of promotion activities for physical activity events

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  • No suggested standards for this setting at this time.

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Recommendation:
Improve the built environment to create or support physical activities that are safe and accessible

Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • An agreement or easement exists that enhances public access to outdoor recreational resources
  • A Complete Streets policy is developed, adopted, and implemented

Environmental Measures

  • Physical changes made that increase the accessibility of outdoor recreational resources
  • Investments made in outdoor recreation infrastructure
  • An Active Community Environment Team exists

Filter Standards and Resources by Setting:

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  • No suggested standards for this setting at this time.

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Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A Complete Streets policy is developed, adopted, and implemented

Environmental Measures

  • Physical changes made in the environment that increase the safety of bicycling

Filter Standards and Resources by Setting:

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Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A Complete Streets policy is developed, adopted, and implemented

Environmental Measures

  • Physical changes made in the environment that increase the safety of walking

Filter Standards and Resources by Setting:

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Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A Complete Streets policy is developed, adopted, and implemented

Environmental Measures

  • Percentage of land (in acres) within a local jurisdiction that is zoned for mixed use that specifically combines residential land use with one or more commercial, institutional, or other public land uses

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Suggested Measures

Policy Measures

  • A Complete Streets policy is developed, adopted, and implemented

Environmental Measures

  • Physical changes made in the environment that increase the actual and perceived safety of using outdoor physical activity resources

Filter Standards and Resources by Setting:

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