» Heathly Weight Commitment

The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation is an unprecedented partnership between more than 40 of the nation’s largest retailers, non-profit organizations, food and beverage manufacturers and trade associations aimed at helping to reduce obesity.  Members of the American Beverage Association and the Minnesota Beverage Association are members of the Foundation and committed to its mission.

We want to help consumers lead healthier lives by making calories in balanced with calories out- a daily habit.  We will do this by increasing access and opportunities for physical activity, healthier nutrition options and raising awareness of the energy balance approach- in the  marketplace, in the workplace and in schools.

Connecting with Consumers in the Marketplace: Participating companies are committing to build on existing efforts and will be making changes to their products, packaging and labeling to make it easier for consumers to manage their calorie intake while preserving or enhancing overall nutrition quality.  Specific options companies may undertake include: product reformulation and innovation, providing smaller portions; redesigning packaging and labeling; placing calorie information on the front of products; providing consumers with information and educational materials; and in-store promotion of the initiative.

Empowering Employees in the Workplace: Participating companies will undertake new or enhance existing programs to help employees achieve and maintain a healthy weight.  This may include providing calorie information and healthier food and beverage options in cafeterias, vending machines and break rooms; providing access to exercise at work through individual and group activities, offering weight management programs, and implementing tools to track progress, like health risk appraisals.

Creating Healthy Habits in SCHOOLS: The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation will expand the successful Healthy Schools Partnership to additional schools in Kansas City, Des Moines, Washington, D.C., Chicago and a tribal community in Iowa,  This expansion follows a successful pilot in Kansas City.  The Healthy Schools Partnership integrates nutrition education and physical education through a school-based curriculum to help children develop lifelong positive healthy habits.  The Healthy Schools Partnership was developed by the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition Foundation , PE4life and the American Dietetic Association Foundation.

Measuring our Progress

Each of the three Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation focus areas will be measured by a third party:  the marketplace- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; the workplace- The National Business Group on Health; and schools- The University of California, Berkeley Center for Weight and Health.