Rising rates of childhood obesity in the Coulee Region are raising concern among La Crosse area professionals working with children.  Because of their concern, the Coulee Region Childhood Obesity Coalition was formed in November 2000.  The Coalition’s mission is to improve the health of Coulee Region children by encouraging healthy food choices & regular physical activity.

 To achieve our mission, the Coalition will work on the following goals:

·          Facilitate a healthy lifestyle among La Crosse area children

·         Continue to be a resource to the community on childhood obesity issues, healthy eating and developing/maintaining an active lifestyle.

·         Work within the community to establish a nurturing environment that promotes healthy eating & an active lifestyle.·         Maintain the Coalition’s web site as a source of healthy eating and active lifestyle information.

·         Produce and distribute a quarterly newsletter that promotes healthy eating and an active lifestyle.

 

·         Promote the availability of healthy foods & opportunities for physical activity

·         Advocate for opportunities during every school day for children to be physically active.

·         Work within the community to make opportunities for physical activity accessible to children of all ages and abilities.

·         Continue to work with the media to promote coalition eating and activity messages.

·         Encourage all area schools to increase student’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day.

·         Encourage area restaurants to offer healthy menu selections as part of their children’s menus.

 

·         Develop innovative opportunities for food preparation education

·         Partner with the local media to distribute quick, healthy meal ideas

·          Offer basic healthy cooking classes to area consumers.

 

·      Support  implementation of policies that encourage physical activity & healthy eating

·         Encourage schools to adopt wellness policies that facilitate the development of healthy eating and activity habits among children and adults at their schools.

• Encourage schools to establish Safe Routes to School Programs to encourage more children to walk to school.
• Support & encourage research into effective childhood obesity treatment modalities

·         Encourage parents to limit their children’s screen time to less than 2 hours daily.