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In response to Illinois’ growing obesity epidemic, in January 2010, numerous state and local stakeholder groups came together to form the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity (IAPO).
- We need regular and reliable information about the state of obesity in Illinois to understand where action is needed the most.
- Local, collaborative initiatives exist and are demonstrating how to make an impact on the problem, but inadequate funding means they are limited in scope, with limited capacity for evaluation and expansion to scale.
- There is growing national consensus on effective strategies to combat obesity which are not currently employed in Illinois.
- A state-level response is needed. Development of coordinated systems, changes in policy and investment on the scale of the problem must be undertaken.
IAPO Purpose Statement:
The Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity (IAPO) is a multi-sector coalition that works for equitable and just opportunities for Illinoisans to eat healthy and be physically active to optimize their health and well-being. Through partnerships and collaboration, public awareness building, technical assistance and advocacy, IAPO:
- Develops, changes, and implements policies and systems to support nutrition and physical activity and eliminate social and institutional barriers to maintaining a healthy weight.
- Fosters communities and institutions that integrate healthy foods and beverages and physical activity choices into everyday activities.
IAPO Roadmap 2010-2017 Goal: Ensure that trends in obesity in Illinois are stable by 2015 and moving downward by 2018 through promotion and adoption of nutrition and physical activity policy and environmental change interventions.
Objective 1: Increase access to retailers who serve and/or sell healthy and affordable food options.
Objective 2: Develop state-level obesity prevention resources and infrastructure.
Objective 3: Increase consumption of healthy food and beverages in relation to consumption of unhealthy food and beverages that have minimal nutritional value, such as sugar-sweetened beverages and calorie-dense, low-nutrition fast foods.
Objective 4: Promote healthy and affordable food consumption in senior centers, schools, parks, child care settings, and after school programs.
Objective 5: Increase opportunities for safe and affordable physical activity in communities, senior centers, schools, child care settings, and after-school programs.
Objective 6: Promote safe and active transportation.
Objective 7: Promote healthy and active lifestyles in workplaces.
Objective 8: Promote obesity prevention through hospitals and health care systems.
Organizations that endorse the Roadmap become members of IAPO. Individuals are not members, but they can show support and receive updates from IAPO by endorsing the Roadmap. Member organizations and individuals can also review and sign on to all (or part of) IAPO’s Short-Term Policy Agenda.