Houston Launches ‘The Healthy Houston Initiative’ to Combat Obesity

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In September 2012, Mayor Annise Parker of Houston announced the launch of The Healthy Houston Initiative to help combat obesity in the city of Houston, Texas. The initiative will work to address food deserts, improve the Houston bike share program, expand hike and bike trails, and promote avenues for more physical activity.

This press release from Mayor Parker’s office announces the launch of the Healthy Houston Initiative which will be led by a 22 member task force.  According to this statement, in 2010, 28% of fourth graders, 17% of adolescents age 15-18 and 29% of adults in Houston/Harris County were obese. According to a news article from the Houston Chronicle, Men’s Fitness Magazine once named Houston the fattest city in the nation. The article also states that Houston is home to more fast food restaurants than any other city in America.

In 2002, former Mayor Lee Brown started the Get Lean campaign—which ended in 2004 with the election of a new mayor. Now, Mayor Annise Parker hopes to find the best policy solutions to tackling the issue of childhood obesity in Houston.