Introduction

The California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness was launched by the State Legislature in 2002 to address the critical issues of physical fitness and nutritional health in California’s schools and workplaces.

The Wellness Task Force, as a public/private endeavor, brings together educators, health advocates, health providers, athletes and legislators. The mission of this multi-disciplinary Task Force is to create and promote programs and policies which decrease the obesity rates in California’s schools and workplaces.

Under the leadership of Senator Tom Torlakson, the Wellness Task Force is committed to catalyzing better health outcomes for California’s children and communities through the deployment of three unique strategies:

1. Promote models and resources that support healthy nutrition, physical activity, and healthy food access in California’s schools and workplaces;
   
   
2. Raise the political and media profiles of child and workplace health and fitness issues in local communities and statewide; and
   
   
3. Support the creation and passage of health legislation that will lead to lower rates of obesity and obesity related diseases in children and adults in California.