Posted 8:31 am Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Meeting Set To Discuss Anti-Obesity Measures
By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer
The Fit City Challenge Coalition will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. today to discuss ongoing efforts to educate the community about obesity and create a healthier city. The meeting will be held at OneREALTORCenter, 2772 SSE Loop 323.
Among the topics of discussion is a program designed to combat childhood obesity. Created by the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality, Be Our Voice is a national effort with active campaigns in eight sites in seven states.
Staff Writer
The Fit City Challenge Coalition will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. today to discuss ongoing efforts to educate the community about obesity and create a healthier city. The meeting will be held at OneREALTORCenter, 2772 SSE Loop 323.
Among the topics of discussion is a program designed to combat childhood obesity. Created by the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality, Be Our Voice is a national effort with active campaigns in eight sites in seven states.
Dr. Valerie Smith, a pediatrician at St. Paul Children's Clinic, is spearheading the program locally after she attended a statewide training program last year on childhood obesity advocacy.
The primary focus is nutrition education, or 5-2-1-0 as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It emphasizes five servings of fruits and vegetables; two hours or less of screen time; one hour of physical activity; and zero sweetened beverages.
The primary focus is nutrition education, or 5-2-1-0 as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It emphasizes five servings of fruits and vegetables; two hours or less of screen time; one hour of physical activity; and zero sweetened beverages.
Dr. Smith said obesity is the most prevalent health issue seen at her clinic and results in young children having diseases typically seen in adults including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
“I hope to train 40-plus people who are interested in making Tyler healthier and reducing childhood obesity,” she said.
“I hope to train 40-plus people who are interested in making Tyler healthier and reducing childhood obesity,” she said.
A one-day training session in the fall will include lectures on advocacy, policy intervention, communicating with local leaders and developing small groups for action plans.
“It really will help create partnerships among organizations and individuals who already have an interest and passion but may not know how to turn that into action and results,” Dr. Smith said.
“It really will help create partnerships among organizations and individuals who already have an interest and passion but may not know how to turn that into action and results,” Dr. Smith said.
Also at the meeting, coalition members expect to hear announcements about the progress or beginnings of challenges at local businesses, as well as plan upcoming health events.
The second annual Fit City Day at Bergfeld Park is set for Oct. 1. Plans are also under way for the Tyler Rose Marathon and Fit City 5K; and the first Tyler Rose Expo, a health and fitness event that will accompany the marathon.
At today's meeting, City Manager Mark McDaniel will pay his debt after losing a wager to Tyler Paper publisher Nelson Clyde.
McDaniel offered to shave his head if Clyde participated at least 60 percent of the time in the Pray off the Pounds initiative, which consisted of 40 days of male-only 6 a.m. fitness walks at Rose Rudman Park. PATH's Christina Fulsom and Dr. Barbara Huggins will roll out new Fit City messages, as part of their media campaign.
For more information about the Fit City Challenge, contact Dave Berry at dvberry@tylerpaper.com or fitcity@tyler paper.com.
The second annual Fit City Day at Bergfeld Park is set for Oct. 1. Plans are also under way for the Tyler Rose Marathon and Fit City 5K; and the first Tyler Rose Expo, a health and fitness event that will accompany the marathon.
At today's meeting, City Manager Mark McDaniel will pay his debt after losing a wager to Tyler Paper publisher Nelson Clyde.
McDaniel offered to shave his head if Clyde participated at least 60 percent of the time in the Pray off the Pounds initiative, which consisted of 40 days of male-only 6 a.m. fitness walks at Rose Rudman Park. PATH's Christina Fulsom and Dr. Barbara Huggins will roll out new Fit City messages, as part of their media campaign.
For more information about the Fit City Challenge, contact Dave Berry at dvberry@tylerpaper.com or fitcity@tyler paper.com.
