Childhood Obesity in Orange County: More Needs to be Done 1. Summary These national statistics closely mirror obesity

Lack of coordination: Orange County a $353 million national grant. In March 2010, Health Care Agency currently is respon- Orange County learned that its $20 million grant sible for the coordination of all programs proposal to be used to fight childhood obesity in the receiving grants to fight childhood obesity. County was not selected. OCHCA and groups of administrators at- The County had submitted a plan along with tempt to coordinate the efforts of numerous the grant application outlining how the grant money programs. However, with limited personnel was to be used. Had the County been awarded dedicated to childhood obesity prevention, the grant, this money would have gone a long way OCHCA is unable to provide the required toward enhancing the coordination of existing coordination to better use its limited funds. programs as well as developing additional programs

Grant limitations: The County receives fed- designed to address childhood obesity. The obesity eral and state grants that support programs problem still exists. The fight against childhood to fight childhood obesity which contain obesity is negatively impacted by the failure of this conditions that restrict how funds may be grant money to be awarded to Orange County. This used, thus limiting the effectiveness of the over reliance on grant money will limit OCHCA’s programs’ efforts. For example, some chil- ability to implement those plans outlined in the dren may be excluded because they are not grant application in addressing this growing epi- in a group targeted by grant criteria, such as demic. County government needs to make a com- food stamp eligibility or being below federal mitment to be creative and aggressive in appropriat- poverty level. ing resources or we can expect to continue to lose

Over-reliance on grant funds: There is an ground in reversing this epidemic. over-reliance by the County on state and federal grants to address the obesity epidemic 4.8 Commendation in children. There is no assurance that any grants will be awarded. The 2009-2010 Grand Jury commends and thanks the personnel of OCHCA for their assistance F.4 Lack of parental involvement: Parental and cooperation during this study. involvement is a crucial element in combat- ing childhood obesity. Existing city and county programs, networks, workgroups and committees are composed of administrators Page  2009-2010 Orange County Grand Jury from various public agencies, who meet pe- ner groups in expanding their fight against riodically. Few, if any of these groups meet childhood obesity. (See Finding 3) directly with parents; therefore, little infor-

Lack of comprehensive plans: There is not ment new programs or adapt current ones a comprehensive plan which outlines all to directly involve parents through regularly County efforts in place to address childhood scheduled meetings designed to promote obesity. healthy children. (See Finding 4) Responses to Findings F.1 through F.5 are re- R.5 Lack of comprehensive plans: The County quested from Orange County Health Care Agency. and OCHCA need to create a compre- hensive strategic plan which addresses and Responses to Findings F.2, F.3, and F.5 are measures all efforts designed to fight the required from the Orange County Board of Super- childhood obesity epidemic in the County. visors. (See Finding 5) 6. RECOMMENDATIONS Responses to Recommendations R.1 through