New urban farming policies in San Antonio have helped launch small businesses and urban farms across the city. Including, a new farmers market that has grown into San Antonio's Southside, where many Latino families live in poverty and lack access to affordable, healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables. According to the State of Texas Children report, 26% of children in Bexar County lack consistent access to adequate food, and Latino kids face a disparity in Texas, where rates of food insecurity exceed 30 percent. The foods offered at Urban Farm Stand are at a lower cost than most local grocery stores, explains a recent article, also noting that sixty percent of customers are returning to stock up on fresh local tomatoes, or sign up for the 25$ produce box that can be delivered to a ...
Many Americans take a large number of factors into consideration when choosing where they live. These factors include the quality of the schools in the area, the strength of the local economy, and the safety of the area. Still, most people do not control where they are born, live or move to. Millions of Americans find themselves living in cities that lack jobs, amenities, and security. Online magazine 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the data from 550 U.S. cities with populations of 65,000 or more according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Based on a number of variables, such as crime rate, employment growth, access to restaurants, educational attainment, and housing availability, the site identified the worst cities to live in. Income is highly associated with numerous social and economic factors. ...
A recent article reports that Santiago, Chile is working to combat obesity by providing consumers with warning labels on unhealthy foods. Chile deals with high obesity and diabetes rates. In 2014 an article reported Chile to be the fattest nation in the world, with 37% of boys overweight or obese and girls at 32%. The legislation passed back in 2012, will now be implemented with restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods to kids and also will indicate caloric content with black octagons and warnings showing high fat, sugar, sodium or caloric content. Latino kids in the U.S. also deal with higher diet-related diseases like diabetes and obesity. Studies show that incorporating guidelines in schools that restrict access to unhealthy foods and beverages positively impact ...
The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the U.S. Air Force has partnered to bring Kids LiveWell meals to kids and families as part of the Air Force FitFamilies initiative. The Air Force FitFamilies initiative is a web-based goal incentive program for families, encouraging families to have active goals, resources, and recipes to increase healthy choices. The Kids LiveWell is the NRA's program created in partnership with Healthy Dining in 2011, which limits sugar, fats, and sodium and increases more healthy options for kids including fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat diary. Healthy Dining website also offers families workout videos, nutrition tips, and quick and healthy recipes along with tips from nutritionists on how to choose healthier options when ...
A recent article reported research from a national survey, showing that more than 10 percent of Latinos reported difficulty in accessing affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. The report also indicated that Latino families that live further from larger grocery stores also may be at risk for poor health. Many small supermarkets or corner stores are starting to carry more fresh fruit options, however, the price of fruits and vegetables at smaller stores are many times still higher in cost than at a larger grocer. Studies show that Latinos may be more likely to buy healthier foods if small convenient stores offered healthier foods at affordable prices. For instance, one New York program added and promoted healthy food items at local bodegas and it led to more fruit (32% increase in ...
Louisiana will be seeing more grocers and farmer's markets expanding fresh food in needy areas, as the Healthy Food Retail Act has been approved for one million in funding from the state. The Governor signed the budget bill to implement the law's budget, allowing families to have more access to fresh, healthy, affordable foods. Market Umbrella and their partner Together Louisiana also provided leadership in the bill's initiative. Vah Hook of the recently said in the American Heart Association News that these efforts in the South towards food access are welcomed as food is a part of everyone's life, and these initiatives are a win-win for vulnerable communities, agricultural interests, and economic development.
Copy & Share on Twitter: Congrats #Louisiana! Families will now ...
Since 2013, the Navajo Nation has been striving to address food deserts and health epidemics. In 201, the Healthy Dine Nation Act was approved to help promote consumption of healthier foods, by taxing junk food sales at two percent and eliminating a five percent tax on healthy foods like fruits, nuts, water, and vegetables. The one million-a-year of tax revenues were to be put towards health and wellness programs, farmer's markets, vegetable gardens, and exercise equipment. Now a new victory has come after receiving approval for the "The Healthy Diné Community Wellness Project Guideline and Distribution Policy". This new approval will allow all 110 Navajo chapters to access funding from the Healthy Dine Nation Act tax revenue to pursue their health and wellness ...
According to a recent article from Prevent Obesity, San Francisco city has taken the healthier food movement to a new level by adopting a new ordinance that ensures healthier foods are found in city property vending machines and during city meetings and events. The new ordinance requires that all prepackaged food sold in vending machines meet calorie labeling requirements and nutritional standards. Foods sold in vending machines on city property per serving must be no more than 200 calories, less than one gram of saturated fat, no more than 35% of calories from fat and have no trans fat or partially hydrogenated oil. Sodium and sugar guidelines are also detailed as well as opting out of all candy except for sugar-free mints and gum. Beverages must also follow nutritional standards ...
New reports reveal that childhood obesity rates are declining and the national diet is improving.
According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, communities of color and low-income are more likely to be hit by higher rates of childhood obesity, however, states across the nation have shown signs of progress! For example, Georgia has seen a 10.8% decline in obesity among children ages 2-4, New Mexico has also seen a 15.1% and 11.1% decline in overweight and obesity among children, and in a Wisconsin school district, a report shows a combined overweight and obesity decline of 30.2%.
How are these communities ensuring healthy weights for kids?
Communities are building a culture of health by working together to increase consumption of healthier foods and beverages and increase physical ...
