The Northwoods Breastfeeding Coalition has been awarded the 2012 Obesity Prevention Superhero award for its pioneering work to making Oneida, Vilas, Forest and Price Counties and Wisconsin a healthier place to live.

The organization was recognized by the Wisconsin Partnership for Activity and Nutrition (WI PAN) and the Wisconsin Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (NPAO) Program at the Wisconsin Obesity Prevention Summit on June 11.

In 2010, the coalition received a Local Implementation Grant of the Wisconsin Nutrition and Physical Activity State Plan to reduce obesity by increasing breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity. The coalition worked with both Oneida County hospitals (which also serve Vilas, Forest and Price county residents) to adopt evidence-based breastfeeding policies and develop an implementation plan for their new policies. Education was provided to all their Maternity Care Center nurses and their new Breastfeeding Task Forces. By March of 2012, both of the local hospitals adopted an evidenced based breastfeeding policy, adapted from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s sample policies.

“Our work with Ministry Health Care was successful because it followed the steps laid out in the Baby Friendly USA Program, based on evidence-based research and best practices,” said Coalition Chair Debra Durchslag. “We look forward to continuing to work with both hospitals.”

This year, the Obesity Prevention Superhero Awards celebrated 12 individuals and organizations who have done transformative work in their schools, worksites and community institutions-building awareness and increasing access to healthy food and physical activity.

For more information, visit the Northwoods Breastfeeding Coalition website at oneidacountypublichealth.org/.