Here’s the skinny for 2014

Make eating out less hazardous to your waistline by looking for the "Choose Health L.A. Restaurant" sign.

As January unfolds and New Year’s resolutions remain firm, county Public Health officials are offering this reminder: Just say less.

A smaller-portion initiative launched last fall has resulted in hundreds of decals—similar to those issued with the department’s popular letter-grading program—being placed in restaurant windows county-wide. The signs, designating a “Choose Health L.A. Restaurant,” mean that reduced-size options and other healthy choices, especially for kids, are on the menu.

The 800-pound sandwich in the group, so to speak, is Subway, with 640 locations taking part. Italian and Mexican restaurants are also represented, along with L.A. standards like Barney’s Beanery, whose four outlets have signed up.

But there are still challenges, including the recruitment of Asian restaurants.

Scott Chan, program director for the Asian and Pacific Islander Obesity Prevention Alliance, said his group is working with the county on outreach.

“We are still in the beginning stages, and most of the Asian owners we have talked to do not know about the program. I am hopeful as the campaign continues that we will be able to reach these folks,” Chan said in an email. “We truly believe that increased language access with these owners, whether through translated forms or in-person interpretation, will guarantee greater success and healthier communities.”

Public Health’s Linda Aragon said her department has sent letters about the program to 27,000 restaurants in the county, and is also trying to spread the word via its network of restaurant inspectors, who are on the frontlines of local eateries every day.

As for consumers, there seems to be a healthy amount of interest.

“We looked at Google Analytics, and we’ve gotten more than 60,000 page views since October,” Aragon said.

It’s important to keep promoting the program, Aragon said, adding that a formal evaluation of how it’s working is expected in the year ahead.

Meanwhile, Aragon said, resolving to take even small steps toward healthier habits can make a big difference. (Some tips to get started are on the Choose Health L.A. website.)

“We always think it’s a good thing when folks consider starting out the New Year by eating better, starting to exercise, or even quitting smoking,” Aragon said. “Anything we can do to improve people’s lives, and this is a great time to start it.”

Posted 1/9/14