An analysis of nutrition legislation and adolescent obesity

Permanent URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20003285
Title:
An analysis of nutrition legislation and adolescent obesity
Creator:
Reich, Amanda Jane (Author)
Contributor:
Fox, James Alan (Advisor)
Tucker, Katherine (Committee member)
Martinez, Linda S. (Committee member)
Dukakis, Michael S. (Michael Stanley) (Committee member)
Publisher:
Boston, Massachusetts : Northeastern University, 2013
Date Accepted:
July 2013
Date Awarded:
January 2014
Type of resource:
Text
Genre:
Dissertations
Format:
electronic
Digital origin:
born digital
Abstract/Description:
This study is designed to assess the effectiveness of state laws enacted with the purpose of improving nutrition among youth and reducing obesity rates. The analysis includes a qualitative review of the political process of introducing nutrition legislation in two case study states, Massachusetts and North Carolina.

As youth obesity rates have tripled, states across the U.S. have begun enacting legislation designed to target this health issue. Categories of legislative approaches include structural (such as nutrition advisory councils), physical (including regulations on competitive foods), communication (including nutrition education), and surveillance policies (BMI measurement). The analysis compares the laws passed in 17 states between 2001-2011 with Youth Risk Behavior (YRBS) data to determine whether certain types of laws improve nutrition behaviors such as fruit and vegetable consumption, and ultimately decrease BMI. Results suggest that structural policies may be associated with lower BMI scores among youth, however other types of policies may influence nutrition behaviors. Demographic variables including race, education, poverty, and unemployment were also assessed to determine how they affect the analysis. As states struggle to adequately address obesity among youth, schools offer an important intervention target. An evaluation of legislative options can help to prioritize limited resources towards the most effective approaches.

Finally, qualitative data suggest that a number of themes are important to the political process surrounding nutrition policy. Stakeholders in North Carolina and Massachusetts, despite operating in very different health and political environments, shared certain characteristics in terms of political barriers and sources of legislative support. Building multidisciplinary coalitions, ensuring adequate funding, and designing an evaluation system are all integral to enacting and implementing effective legislation.
Subjects and keywords:
Nutrition
Policy
Youth
Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation
Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
Public Policy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17760/d20003285
Permanent Link:
http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20003285
Use and reproduction:
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