The Food and Fitness Environment

The prevalence of poor diet and physical inactivity has created a national health crisis. Too many people in our communities suffer the effects of obesity and type 2 diabetes, among other related conditions, especially in low-income neighborhoods. Poor nutrition and physical inactivity may soon overtake tobacco as the leading cause of death in the United States.

A variety of social and environmental factors have an impact on health and quality of life. In many neighborhoods, gas stations and bodegas are the only convenient and affordable source of food, and streets are often unsafe for pedestrians or bicyclists. These same communities often lack parks, trails and nearby open space for families to be active. The places where many people live, work and play no longer support healthy behaviors and vibrant, connected communities.

Health is a product of the systems that surround us. And, in this context, obesity, diabetes and other related problems are a symptom of the systems that are broken.

The W.K. Kellogg Food & Fitness Environment Initiative (WKKF) is working nationally to change systems and policies that will create vibrant communities that support access to locally grown, healthy, affordable food, and safe and convenient places for physical activity and play—for everyone.  WKKF is also working directly with nine communities across the U.S. Collaborations in each site are working with multiple sectors and communities—from transportation to public health, from agriculture to education, from youth to the faith community. WKKF believes that by working together they can advance integrated, sustainable and practical solutions that will serve as models for positive change for all communities.

In support of the Food and Fitness Environment, the Center for Managing Chronic Disease is working with WKKF and its partners to facilitate the development of national and cross-site evaluations, provide planning and evaluation technical assistance to the nine funded communities, and coordinate a team of technical assistance providers. The Center is working with the funded communities and other Food and Fitness Environment partners to develop a dynamic evaluation that will describe the process and impact of these local and national efforts.

For more information, contact Lara Thomas ljthomas@umich.edu or Laurie Lachance at lauriel@umich.edu.