Obesity Prevention Policy Council
Leaders in Tarrant County will halt the incidence of obesity by:
- Choosing and implementing at least one identified evidence-based policy regarding access to healthy foods or increased physical activity countywide by December 2012.
- Implementing at least one evidence-based policy regarding access to healthy foods or increased physical activity within their jurisdiction or organization by December 2012.
- Evaluating the process and outcomes and sharing the results by June 2013.
Background:
Fighting obesity is one of the most important public health initiatives of this decade. Obesity takes a financial and human toll on our community.
Tarrant County’s human toll – An estimated 19% of children 2-14 years old are obese; an estimated 28.2% of adults 18 and older are obese.
The economic toll – The obesity-attributable health care spending for the state of Texas is estimated at over $5.7 billion.
Obesity Prevention marketing and collateral materials
Photo taken at Oct. 12, 2011 meeting. Left to right: keynote speaker Monte Roulier, President, Pioneering Healthier Communities National YMCA Program Leader; Tarrant County Precinct 1 Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks; Lou Brewer, Director, Tarrant County Public Health; Tony Shuman, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth and Richard Kurz, Dean of the University of North Texas Health Science Center's School of Public Health.
Obesity Prevention Links:
Obesity Prevention Information:
A listing of Nutrition and Physical Activity Evidence-Based Policies and Best Practices
2010 Meeting
On Dec. 6, 2010, local elected officials and leaders from the public and private sectors attended a forum to learn more about the current obesity epidemic in Tarrant County and to hear a presentation on Pioneering Healthier Communities by YMCA national program leader Monte Roulier. The speaker provided practical and much-needed information, including how cities like Louisville, Austin, New York and Portland have used successful strategies that have had an impact on the obesity problem in their metropolitan areas.
Tarrant County Judge B. Glen Whitley spoke to the group and challenged them to help strengthen local efforts to fight obesity.
Left to right: Texas State Representative Marc Veasey; Tony Shuman, President and CEO and Jean Carmichael, Vice President with the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth; Lou Brewer, Director, Tarrant County Public Health; Patricia Bostic, representing Congressman Michael Burgess; Tarrant County Precinct 1 Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks; and keynote speaker Monte Roulier, President, Pioneering Healthier Communities National YMCA Program Leader.
