The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is launching the "For Every Body" campaign to push its Alabama Physical Activity and Nutrition Plan (ALPAN), which was developed "with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion."
The "For Every Body" campaign is designed to "increase awareness" of the ALPAN, the state's nutrition and exercise framework developed by the Alabama Wellness Alliance, formerly the State Obesity Task Force.
The 2023-2033 ALPAN begins with a preamble from Gov. Kay Ivey and State Health Officer Scott Harris.
"The Alabama Wellness Alliance is a diverse, statewide group of organizations, partners, and stakeholders dedicated to working together to reverse obesity," Harris said. "It is through their hard work and dedication that the Alabama Physical Activity and Nutrition Plan was developed. It is my hope that it will be the driving force behind all obesity prevention initiatives in the state."
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, Alabama is the fifth most obese state in the nation with a rate of 39.2%. Louisiana is in fourth place (39.9%), followed by Arkansas (40%), Mississippi (40.1%) and West Virginia (41.2%).
ADPH's solution to this is the ALPAN.
To access the ALPAN, you must first fill out a survey, inputting your name, email, work and reason for accessing it before you can see the PDF. Also, once downloaded, copying the text of the ALPAN is not allowed, though a prompt below the submission form asks you to share the plan to websites and social media.
The ALPLAN framework is laid out as follows:
"ALPAN was developed using the Social Ecological Model, with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Social Ecological Model supports health behavior change by addressing multiple levels of influence: individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy. Further, creating healthy communities for all people requires a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. ALPAN seeks to address barriers to fair treatment and equal opportunities for all regardless of ability. A culture of inclusivity and belonging emphasizes dignity and respect, while actively inviting contributions and participation from all Alabamians."
It continues, "ALPAN recognizes that substantial health disparities exist across many marginalized populations due to differences in access to life enhancing resources such as transportation, education, and healthy foods. ALPAN seeks to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in Alabama to ensure every person has the opportunity to achieve optimal health regardless of the color of their skin, level of education, gender identity, sexual orientation, employment status, their neighborhood, and whether or not they have a disability. Working together, partners can promote health equity on a state and local level to address disparities and improve the health of all Alabamians."
After laying out the framework and background of the ALPAN and the concerns of obesity-related illnesses, it gives its recommendations for nutrition and exercise. Instead of providing detailed lists of diet and exercise recommendations, the ALPAN recommends whole cloth, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans developed by the Federal Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans developed by the USDA and HHS.
The "For Every Body" campaign merely consists of social media posts and graphics designed to highlight the ALPAN. According to ADPH, the graphics are positive, inclusive, supportive, specific, easy to understand, inspiring, and available in English and Spanish.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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