UTICA — Childhood obesity is a problem in Upstate New York that the American Heart Association needs to focus on, said Jim Stasaitis, director of America's Greatest Heart Run & Walk.

"If we can get children outside, it will be of huge help," he said Wednesday night as American Heart Association volunteers, staff members and directors met at the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory in Utica.

They celebrated achieving legislative successes, such as the introduction of legislation to introduce healthier food options into New York state schools, and charted out a roadmap of future goals.

The meeting also served to raise the profile of the association's public policy agenda, which is aimed at creating a healthier society, said Director of Advocacy Paul Hartman.

"We want to raise awareness in the community that we are engaged in policy changes," Hartman said.

In addition to childhood obesity, another problem directly affecting Upstate New York residents is poor access to health care, said Michael Stein, president of the organization's local board.

Stein said many people know about America's Greatest Heart Run & Walk, but not as much about the group's ongoing work in the public policy field.

"This is an opportunity to talk about our work," he said.