Nutrition and Physical Activity Branch

About Us

Vision:

Well-nourished, physically active Californians thriving in supportive, healthy communities.

Mission:

We advance health equity through partnerships, programs, and policy initiatives that promote nutrition security, active living, and healthy behaviors across all California communities, with focused support where disparities are greatest.

Focus Areas: 

Who We Are

Established in 1995, the Nutrition and Physical Activity Branch (NPAB), formerly known as the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Branch (NEOPB), leads statewide efforts to improve health outcomes through creative solutions, collective action, and community alignment. We support programs and policies that foster healthier communities and reduce chronic disease by working across sectors and centering equity in our work.

Our branch uses upstream public health approaches to promote healthy eating and active living as a foundation for preventing chronic disease. These approaches focus on creating supportive environments at the individual, organizational, and community levels that make healthy choices easier for all Californians. We work through partnerships and coalitions through state and local governments, academic institutions, and community-based organizations to advance health equity by improving access to nutritious foods and safe spaces for physical activity.