a statewide initiative to address childhood obesity

A Statewide Initiative to Address Childhood Obesity

Georgia SHAPEGeorgia SHAPE is a statewide multi-agency, multi-dimensional initiative of Governor Nathan Deal that brings together the governmental, philanthropic, academic and business communities to address childhood obesity in Georgia.

Georgia SHAPEPartners

Department of Public Health Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation

Department of AgricultureGeorgia Grown

The Atlanta Braves Foundation

Department of Natural Resources

Tons of Fun

Coca Cola

Department of Education Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)

Department of Transportation University of Georgia

Georgia SHAPE• Includes strategies for addressing

obesity from birth through the high school years

• Efforts focus on schools, communities, child care centers, government and policy agencies, businesses, and medical practices

GeorgiaSHAPE.org

Georgia SHAPE Initiatives• Recognize and support birthing hospitals

that support breastfeeding

• Increase the number of work sites that adopt policies that support breastfeeding mothers

• Promote physical activity and nutrition programs in child care facilities and school settings

Our New Reality

Why is breastfeeding important?

• Breastfeeding is among the best ways to prevent a child from becoming overweight or obese.

• Research has demonstrated that

breastfeeding employees miss work less often because breastfed infants are healthier and the reduced healthcare costs for breastfed infants translate to lower health insurance premiums for businesses.

Why is breastfeeding important?

• Breastfeeding mothers have lower risks of breast and ovarian cancers

• Lower rates of breastfeeding add $2.2 billion a year to medical costs

• Helps protect against childhood obesity and other illnesses (ear infections, respiratory infections, SIDS)

Breastfeeding

70.9

40.8

17.6

27.8

12.9

76.9

47.2

25.5

36

16.3

81.9

60.6

34.1

46.2

25.5

0102030405060708090

Ever Breastfed Breastfeeding at 6 months

Breastfeeding at 12 months

Exclusive breastfeeding at 3

months

Exclusive breastfeeding at 6

months

GA

U.S.

HP 2020

Percentage of Children Who Breastfeed, Georgia, U.S. & HP 2020 Goal

CDC NIS Provisional Data, 2009

Breastfeeding• Based on 2011 data*, only 66.4% of

Georgia mothers start breastfeeding after delivery

• Healthy People 2020 Goal: 81.9%

*2011 combined GA Birth Certificate & Newborn Screening data

Georgia’s 5-STAR Hospital Initiative

• Awards participating birthing hospitals for implementing evidenced-base maternity care practices that promote and support breastfeeding

• The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, as defined by Baby- Friendly USA, the official credentialing agency of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)

Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

1)Written breastfeeding policy2)Train staff to implement policy3)Inform all pregnant women about

the benefits and management of breastfeeding.

4)Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one half-hour of birth.

5)Show mothers how to breastfeed

Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

6) Only allow babies breast milk, unless medically indicated

7) Practice rooming-in8) Encourage breastfeeding on-

demand9) No artificial teats or pacifiers10) Encourage community support

groups

Baby-Friendly Facilities

SOURCE: CDC National Survey of Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC), 2011

Georgia’s 5-STAR Hospital Initiative

• Doctor’s Hospital, Columbus• Gwinnett Medical Center, Lawrenceville• Hamilton Medical Center, Dalton• Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany• Southeast Georgia Health System, Brunswick• Southern Regional Medical Center, Riverdale• The Medical Center, Columbus• Tift Regional Medical Center, Tifton• Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Marietta

National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ) Hospitals in Georgia• Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta• DeKalb Medical, Decatur• Doctors Hospital, Augusta• Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta• Grady Health System, Atlanta• Piedmont Henry Hospital, Stockbridge• WellStar Cobb Hospital, Austell

“Safe Sleep” Campaign

“Safe Sleep” Campaign

• Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal and the Georgia Children’s Cabinet

• Georgia Department of Public Health• Georgia Department of Human Services• Georgia Department of Driver Services • Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice

“Safe Sleep” Campaign

Role for Hospitals• Create Safe Sleep Policies for NICU and

Well Baby Nursery• Train staff• Endorse and model :

– Supine Sleep Position– Educate families on safe sleep

guidelines before discharge• Share our Safe Sleep video in hospital

Thank You

Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D.Commissioner

Georgia Department of Public Healthbrfitzgerald@dhr.state.ga.us