5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count
In October 2017, Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg announced the statewide childhood health initiative, “5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count!”. 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! is a nationally recognized and evidence based prevention framework to promote the daily recommendations of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 hours or less of recreational screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity and 0 sugary drinks- drink more water. The goal of 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! is to work with parents, teachers, child care providers, health care providers and business leaders to increase physical activity and healthy eating through policy and environmental change.
“Research has shown that children who have healthy eating habits, are physically active and spend less time in front of a screen do better in school,” Governor Kim Reynolds said. “Their reading scores improve, they are able to maintain better focus in class and they sleep better. Children who do better in school are more likely to pursue post-secondary education and are better equipped to contribute to Iowa’s economic success.” Governor Reynolds actively supported the public-private partnership."
5-2-1-0 Iowa Communities
Iowa Department of Public Health provides funding and technical assistance work with multi-sector community coalitions to make sustainable and equitable environmental and policy changes around 5-2-1-0 evidence based strategies. Funding for 5-2-1-0 Communities comes from the State of Iowa legislative budget allocated for childhood obesity prevention. Funding is provided in a three-year tiered allocation with first year communities receiving $30,000, second year communities $10,000 and third year communities $5,000.
State Fiscal Year 2021 Communities:
First Year: Ottumwa, Scranton, Sergeant Bluff, Spence and Winterset
Second Year: Cherokee, Grinnell, Hampton, Missouri Valley, Storm Lake & Waterloo
Third Year: Clinton, Keosauqua, Manning, Mason City and Mount Ayr
Read about the fiscal year 2020 success in the Community Success Report. See how Iowa communities are implementing 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! strategies by clicking on the community below.