In today's fast-paced society, our lack of time for daily exercise and the convenience of unhealthy foods have led to an overwhelming prevalence of obesity and preventable diseases.

Evidence suggests that carefully selected change in the physical and social environment can increase healthy eating and active living. By targeting schools, workplaces and the built environment we can significantly increase the likelihood that people will make healthier choices.

Workplaces are an environment where most adults spend the majority of their day. While many larger employers are successfully forging ahead with workplace wellness programs, WHF encourages policy measures to help smaller businesses with fewer resources and employees to begin implementation of evidence-based wellness programs, especially those using individual health risk appraisals to identify effective program elements for their particular workforce. WHF's own Healthiest State in the Nation web-based program at HealthiestState.org is one easy and free option for both small and large organizations. Policy makers should consider opening other options for small employers such as allowing use of the state's evidence-based employee assessment tool, state wellness information resources and more.

Likewise, the Healthiest State in the Nation Campaign is working with Washington schools, providing a free program with incentives that is easy for teachers to implement. However, as schools face greater emphasis on academic achievement, there has been decreased emphasis on health and physical education. Fewer schools now provide healthy physical activity options for children.

Yet, there are solutions. WHF supports a more active health system for schools including additional funding and incentives for implementation of the Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP)¹ model and increased accountability for "Essential Learning Requirements" related to health and fitness. The CSHP includes eight components: 1)health education, 2) physical education, 3) health services, 4) nutrition services, 5) counseling and psychological services, 6) healthy school environment, 7) health promotion for staff, and 8) family/community involvement. WHF supports efforts toward implementing this model in schools, including the establishment of school/community health councils, additional school nursing and other health staffing, a Comprehensive Health Education Curriculum, funding for physical education teachers in K-12, and parental support in establishing Farm-to-School programs using local produce.

The Healthiest State in the Nation Campaign is working to engage Washington communities, too, in healthy eating and active living. We believe progress can come quickly by promoting voluntary menu labeling in restaurants that can help consumers eat smaller portions and choose healthier options. By listing, at the very least, the calorie count of each menu item, restaurants can equip patrons to make smarter health choices. Additionally, some restaurants may choose to list fat content and other nutritional information for menu items. Listing the content of restaurant meals can also help protect patrons against food allergies.

The built environment in which we live greatly influences our daily choices. Long commuting distances inhibit walking or biking. Unsafe neighborhoods inhibit kids' physically active play. Stores, shops and community centers at distant malls discourage walkable community centers. In fact, a recent study found that our immediate environment or neighborhood is the most important determinant of physical activity.

WHF supports policies that design communities that promote physical activity in daily routines. For instance, we support state policy requiring an evaluation of the effectiveness of transportation and infrastructure proposals in improving walkability and other active forms of transportation. We think the state should match federal funds now available for sustaining walkability and active living environments, such as "Safe Routes to School" and "Complete the Streets" programs. The traditional Driver's Education curriculum should be restructured to encourage understanding of the bus system and other transportation options.

Policy makers should also consider other options to improve environments for healthy eating and active living. These include transportation funding "set asides" for active transportation alternatives, a clearer role for local public health officials in land use planning, public subsidies for "farm to market" programs, and additional taxes on high fructose corn syrup and other unhealthy foods and food additives.

¹Coordinated School Health Program information available online at www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/CSHP/.