Patterns and predictors of enactment of state childhood obesity legislation in the United States: 2006-2009.
OBJECTIVE
We developed a content review for state policies related to childhood obesity, and we have quantitatively described the predictors of enactment.


METHODS
We collected an inventory of 2006 through 2009 state legislation on 27 childhood obesity topics from legislative databases. We coded each bill for general information, topic content, and other appropriate components. We conducted a general descriptive analysis and 3 multilevel analyses using bill- and state-level characteristics to predict bill enactment.


RESULTS
Common topics in the 27% of the bills that were enacted were community physical activity access, physical education, and school food policy. Committee and bipartisan sponsorship and having term limits significantly predicted enactment in at least 1 model. Bills with safe routes to school or health and nutrition content were twice as likely to be enacted. Bills containing product and menu labeling or soda and snack taxes were significantly less likely to be enacted.


CONCLUSIONS
Bipartisan and committee support and term limits are important in bill enactment. Advocacy efforts can be tailored to increase awareness and sense of priority among policymakers.
George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. aeyler@wustl.edu
Amy A
AA
Eyler
Leah
L
Nguyen
Jooyoung
J
Kong
Yan
Y
Yan
Ross
R
Brownson
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007878:Legislation as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009043:Motor Activity; D018673:Nutrition Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013219:State Government; D014481:United States