By Ann Bagel Storck

 A coalition of more than 40 food processors, retailers and non-governmental organizations on Monday announced the launch of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a national, multi-year effort designed to help reduce obesity — especially childhood obesity — by 2015.

The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation said it will promote the concept of energy balance — balancing calories consumed as part of a healthy diet with calories expended by physical activity.

ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Kraft Foods, Nestle USA and Sara Lee Corp. are among food processors that are part of the group.

The foundation focuses on three critical areas: the marketplace, the workplace and schools. Specific efforts will include the following:

• Participating companies 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. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will support an independent, objective evaluation of the marketplace initiative.

• 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. The impact of the workplace efforts will be evaluated by the National Business Group on Health. Best practices will be shared with employers.

• The foundation will expand the Healthy Schools Partnership to additional schools in Kansas City, Mo.; Des Moines, Iowa; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; and a tribal community in Iowa. The Healthy Schools Partnership integrates nutrition education and physical education through a school-based curriculum.

“By developing and promoting common sense solutions that society can embrace with certainty, we believe we can help make a difference in the fight against obesity,” said Ric Jurgens, chairman, chief executive officer and president of retailer Hy-Vee Inc. and vice chairman of the board of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation. “I know that the dedicated organizations involved in this effort, combined with the tremendous resources at their disposal, will make a significant impact in this critical area.”