The Shape Up San Francisco Coalition is a multidisciplinary body convened to address the epidemic of chronic disease through primary prevention and environmental strategies, with an emphasis on physical activity and nutrition. Shape Up SF is committed to reducing health disparities in chronic diseases that disproportionately affect African American, Latino and Asian populations. Our mission is to increase the awareness of and opportunities for increased physical activity and improved nutrition where people live, play, work and learn.
In order to achieve its goals, the Coalition has identified four strategies:
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Policy advocacy and environmental prevention: Create environments, through policy and organizational change, to support healthy eating and active living.
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Programs and events: Provide opportunities for physical activity and good nutrition in the community, at worksites, etc.
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Research and data: Conduct research and share data on pertinent nutrition and physical activity issues.
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Awareness and education: Increase awareness of the importance of physical activity and nutrition through campaigns, advisory councils, website, etc.
When considering the root causes of chronic disease, they are ultimately far more widespread than the poor choices of an individual. To that end, addressing chronic disease is far more complicated and nuanced than simply asking people to eat their fruits and vegetables and start exercising 30 minutes a day. To ask people to make those simple' changes, we must consider how their behaviors are shaped by their social, physical and political environments.
Shape Up SF unveiled its five-year strategic plan (PDF) at a summit in November of 2008. This plan presents strategies designed to address the roots of chronic disease, and, in particular, address health disparities associated with the development of chronic disease. Shape Up SF's philosophy is embodied throughout the plan insofar that our work focuses on creating the environments that make it easy for people to be physically active and eat healthfully where they live, work, play and learn. Our identified strategies cover four key areas: policy, programs & events, awareness & education, and data & research.
The development of this plan consisted of a review of plans from across the country, over 50 in depth key informant interviews, and several focus groups. This five-year plan incorporates work Shape Up SF has begun and provides a roadmap for work to come. Recognizing that Shape Up SF cannot carry out all the necessary work, we indicate some of the work of our partners as well.
I. Neighborhoods Overall Goal: All San Francisco neighborhoods will have increased opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods.
I.A San Francisco neighborhoods will be safe and aesthetically pleasing to promote active transportation such as walking and biking.
I.B San Francisco residents will have access to affordable healthy foods.
II. School, Afterschool, Childcare Overall Goal: All children and youth will improve their health through physical activity and nutrition in school, afterschool and child care.
II.A Children and youth are physically fit.
II.B Children and youth have access to healthy and appetizing food in schools, afterschool and child care programs that includes fresh, sustainably produced fruits and vegetables.
III. Worksite Overall Goal: All San Francisco employees will work in settings that promote healthy eating and active living in order to reduce prevalence of chronic disease particularly among those at greatest risk.
III.A Policies are in place for employees and employers to eat healthfully and be physically active.
III.B Employers create the settings that support their employees to eat healthfully and be physically active.
IV. Health Care Overall Goal: Engage health care system in chronic disease prevention by encouraging clients to increase protective factors such as improved nutrition and increased physical activity.
IV.A Health care settings promote healthy eating and active living for all ages.
IV.B All providers screen for health risks.
IV.C Prevention services are more widely available and utilized.
To accomplish these goals, we welcome partners, existing and new, to help us create the environments that make it easy and fun to eat well and move more.
