Mackay leads unprecedented coalition of manufacturers, retailers and non-governmental organizations in the fight against obesity

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is a philanthropic organization devoted to helping people lead healthier lives and get the care they need. It focuses on improving both the health of everyone in America and their health care – how it's delivered, how it's paid for, and how well it does for patients and their families.

Joined by Indra Nooyi from PepsiCo, Dan Sanders of United Supermarkets, Ric Jurgens from HyVee and other CEOs from various NGOs and industry organizations, David addressed the crowd at a special launch event for the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation today in Washington, D.C. This national, multi-year effort will develop programs to help people achieve a healthy weight through energy balance – calories in/calories out.

"The stakeholders involved in this commitment have been on the front lines of this battle for years, and we recognize that we have a real opportunity – a historic opportunity – to come together at this time," said David in his remarks at today's event. David is serving as Chairman of the Board of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation.

"Collectively, we can make a difference by taking concerted action in the marketplace, the workplace and in schools," he said.

Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation efforts include:

• Connecting with Consumers in the Marketplace: Participating companies are committing to build on existing efforts and will be making changes to their products, packaging and labeling to make it easier for consumers to manage their calorie intake while preserving or enhancing overall nutrition quality. Specific options companies may undertake include product reformulation and innovation; providing smaller portions; redesigning packaging and labeling; placing calorie information on the front of products; providing consumers with information and educational materials; and in-store promotion of the initiative.

• Empowering Employees in the Workplace: Participating companies will undertake new or enhance existing programs to help employees achieve and maintain a healthy weight. This may include providing calorie information and healthier food and beverage options in cafeterias, vending machines and break rooms; providing access to exercise at work through individual and group activities; offering weight management programs; and implementing tools to track progress, like health risk appraisals.

• Creating Healthy Habits in Schools: The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation will expand the successful Healthy Schools Partnership to additional schools in Kansas City, Des Moines, Washington, D.C., Chicago and a tribal community in Iowa. This expansion follows a successful pilot in Kansas City. The Healthy Schools Partnership integrates nutrition education and physical education through a school-based curriculum to help children develop life-long positive healthy habits.

"As individuals, we need solutions that are sustainable and an environment that reinforces healthier eating and physical activity," David said. "As industry leaders, we need to make it easier for people to make healthier choices. And we need to educate children and adults about the benefits of energy balance – calories in/calories out. That's what the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation is all about."

One of the unique aspects of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation is that the program's efforts will be evaluated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The independent, transparent evaluation process will enable those involved to learn more about the effectiveness of these programs and make adjustments to them, as necessary, going forward.

Members of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation have also committed $20 million to this joint initiative to raise awareness about the importance of balancing a healthy diet with physical activity, particularly among children ages six to 11 years old and their parents and caregivers. In addition, members will combine their abilities to reach people in stores, on packaging and through various other marketing channels.