Public health policy has a profound impact on status. Missing from the literature is clear articulation of definition evidence-based and approaches to move field forward. Policy-relevant evidence includes both quantitative (e.g., epidemiological) qualitative information narrative accounts). We describe 3 key domains policy: (1) process, understand enhance likelihood adoption; (2) content, identify specific elements that are likely be effective; (3) outcomes, document potential policy....

Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages have been proposed to combat obesity. Using data state sales taxes for soda and individual-level children, we examine whether small are likely change consumption weight gain or larger tax increases would be needed. We find that existing soda, which typically not much higher than 4 percent in grocery stores, do substantially affect overall levels of obesity rates. find, however, subgroups at-risk children--children who already overweight, come from...

<h3>Objective</h3>To determine whether state policies that regulate beverages in schools are associated with reduced in-school access and purchase of sugar-sweetened (SSBs) consumption SSBs (in out school) among adolescents.<h3>Design</h3>Cross-sectional.<h3>Setting</h3>Public 40 states.<h3>Participants</h3>Students sampled fifth eighth grades (spring 2004 2007, respectively).<h3>Main Exposures</h3>State ban all only soda for 2006-2007.<h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3>In-school SSB access,...

<h3>Objective</h3>To examine the impact of state- and school district–level policies on prevalence physical education (PE) recess in a nationally representative sample US public elementary schools.<h3>Design</h3>Analyses from annual, representative, cross-sectional surveys administrators United States.<h3>Setting</h3>Data were collected through conducted between February June during 2006-2007 2008-2009 years. State laws district compiled annually by researchers at University Illinois Chicago...

To determine if state laws regulating nutrition content of foods and beverages sold outside federal school meal programs ("competitive foods") are associated with lower adolescent weight gain.The Westlaw legal database identified competitive food that were scored by using the Classification Laws Associated School Students criteria. States classified as having strong, weak, or no in 2003 2006 based on law strength comprehensiveness. Objective height data obtained from 6300 students 40 states...

Deterrence theory proposes that legal compliance is influenced by the anticipated risk of sanctions. This implies changes in law will produce corresponding behavior, but marijuana decriminalization literature finds only fragmentary support for this prediction. But few studies have directly assessed accuracy citizens’ perceptions The heterogeneity state statutory penalties possession across United States provides an opportunity to examine issue. Using national survey data, we find percentages...

<h3>Importance</h3>This study assessed whether stronger school meal nutrition standards may improve student weight status. Results have immediate implications because of the ongoing implementation new for National School Lunch Program. <h3>Objective</h3>To determine if state laws with stricter are inversely associated adolescent status, while controlling unmeasured state-level confounders.<h3>Design</h3>Quasi-experiment.<h3>Setting</h3>Public schools.<h3>Participants</h3>Four thousand eight...

Abstract The use of free or reduced price lunch (FRL), as a measure socioeconomic status (SES), has received mixed reviews in the literature. This study expands on limited research validity FRL SES by examining relationship between and series community-based measures to determine whether is an adequate proxy for adolescent SES. Data are from nationally representative sample 154 public high schools 2010 Bridging Gap with corresponding school level data National Center Education Statistics’...

Obesity is a global problem. Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are leading contributor of added sugars in individual diets and thus to obesity. Governments have considered taxing SSBs prevent obesity generate revenue, but no 'one-size-fits-all' taxation approach exists. We describes three key considerations for governments interested exploring beverage taxation: (i) what type tax apply plus how where the collected presented consumers; (ii) types tax; (iii) amount needed affect consumption...

<h3>Objective</h3>To determine whether nutrient intake is healthier among high school students in California, which regulates the nutrition content of competitive foods sold schools, than states with no such standards.<h3>Design</h3>Cross-sectional study.<h3>Setting</h3>California and 14 without food standards 2009-2010 year.<h3>Participants</h3>A total 680 sampled February through May 2010 as part National Youth Physical Activity Nutrition Study.<h3>Interventions</h3>State laws governing...

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND School policies can change practices on a relatively permanent basis. This study investigated adoption and implementation of state‐level specifying minutes (or percent) physical activity in education ( PE ) or during school. METHODS Policies were identified from existing databases rated as having weak, moderate, strong wording. Interviews with coordinators conducted to investigate the level implementation, monitoring, enforcement policies. RESULTS Sixteen states had...

In Brief The public health literature has not fully explored the complexities of policy process as they relate to practice and obesity prevention. We conducted a review across science fields, distilled key theories making, developed framework inform policy, systems, environmental change efforts on Beginning with conceptual description, we focus understanding three domains process: problem domain, political domain. identify activities in including following: (a) assessing social environment;...

Abstract Public policies have been essential in addressing many of the most pressing public health problems USA and around world. A large convincing body multidisciplinary research has established impacts or effectiveness policies, such as smoke-free air laws nutrition standards, on improving outcomes behaviors. Most this assumes that because an evidence-based policy is adopted takes effect, it implemented intended. This assumption, however, often incorrect. Like with clinical guidelines...

Does law matter regarding public health outcomes? Regardless of what one may think about the answer to this age-old question, in recent years community has increasingly demonstrated and recognized roles that laws policies play effectuating long-lasting broad-based population-wide changes. Public have been instrumental following ways: reducing smoking prevalence; underage alcohol-related drinking, driving, crashes, fatalities; exposure second-hand smoke; eliminating vaccine–associated...