In Compton, CA, fresh fruits and vegetables are scarce, and residents are feeling it. About 40% of folks living in Compton are obese; many struggle with chronic disease like diabetes. In this predominantly Latino city, corner stores are everywhere and even the "fresh" produce at the local grocery store is often spoiled. City officials are taking a big step in the right direction: opening a farmers' market. In early September, the City opened the Blue Line Farmers' Market, the first in Compton in more than a decade. It sits right at a Metro stop, welcoming riders as they get off. City officials said the weekly Wednesday farmers market is just the first step. The City Council has added health and wellness as one of its "critical priorities" for the coming fiscal year, and in ...
A new healthy restaurant initiative hopes to encourage restaurant owners to offer more healthy options on their menus. Choose Health LA Restaurants is a partnership between the LA County Department of Public Health and local restaurants to promote healthier meal choices for customers across Los Angeles County. A handful of restaurants are already participating. Is there one near ...
In Lawrence, Hispanics make up the majority of the population with over 70%. Close to 45% of children and about 69 percent of adults are overweight or obese in Lawrence, according to the city's Department of Health. The City has decided to take action to get folks moving towards better health. Mayor William Lantigua, members of the Mayor’s Health Task Force, Board of Health and local agencies implemented a seven page Healthy Active Living Resolution in early September 2013. Included in the resolution are commitments to improve recreational areas of the city to promote physical activity, increase access to affordable, healthy foods, and create a municipal employee wellness program. The health task force and city departments need to submit their proposals to Mayor Lantigua within ...
According to this story from Houston B-Cycle, in May 2012, the city of Houston launched its bikeshare program with just 18 bikes. This January 2013 press release, talks about a partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) and the City of Houston which aims to create a more bikeable community. BCBSTX donated $750,000 to expand the Houston B-cycle program. The generous donation from BCBSTX will help Houston expand to phase two of the Houston B-cycle program. Prior to this expansion, the bike share program only existed at downtown locations. Phase two of the program will expand the B-cycle program's presence into Midtown, Montrose, and the museum district. Plans for a phase three expansion into the Texas Medical Center and to local universities are in the ...
The Prince George County Board of Education has decided to abolish a $50 fee, which was formerly required of high school students wanting to participate in athletics. According to an article from The Washington Post, in 2011, the board decided to charge a $50 fee to students as a way to cut back on costs. Now, in an effort to help prevent obesity, the board has decided to do away with the fee and allow middle school aged children to participate in sports like baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer. According to the Washington Post, Vice Chairman Carolyn M. Boston (District 6) said: “we heard from the community and we heard from parents who felt our obesity rate is to the point where this is what our kids need.” Changes are set to take place in August of ...
A small community garden in West Philadelphia is starting to a make a big difference. A group of volunteers with the Philadelphia Coalition of the Heart prepared for their second planting season at their North Philly Peace Park. Calling these garden upkeep events, "work parties", they raked weeds, covered the ground with cardboard and wood chips – to protect the soil – and laid out beds that will be used to grow next season’s produce, including cantaloupe, okra, collards, eggplants and watermelon. The goal? To feed the community. Last years garden fed a bunch of neighbors who were happy to grow their own chemical-free, good-for-you veggies. This year, they hope to attract even more residents to the garden to volunteer their time and to take advantage of the local, fresh ...
In the newest effort to combat childhood obesity in United States, the Partnership for America's Health along with First Lady Michelle Obama has launched a new campaign to encourage kids and adults alike to drink more water, Drink Up. The First Lady helped kick-off the campaign in Watertown, Wisconsin, and spoke at a local high school According to the press release, In the next year, supporters will carry the Drink Up logo on nearly 300 million packs of bottle water; more than half a billion bottles of water; 200,000 packages of reusable bottles; and more than 10,000 reusable bottles. Additionally, more than 10,000 outdoor public taps are expected to carry the brand over the next few years. Check out ...
In light of Longmont's growing Latino population, the Longmont YMCA is now offering its Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it! (MEND) program in Spanish. The MEND program is a 10-week healthy lifestyle program that helps overweight kids ages 7-13 and their families learn about exercise and healthier eating habits. Thanks to support from the Colorado Health Foundation, all YMCAs in Colorado offer the MEND program. For more information about this program contact the Longmont ...
On October 26, 2013, New Orleans will host its first Play Streets event. Play Streets is an event that promotes walking, cycling, skating, and various forms of physical activity on a street that will be closed-off to motor vehicles. Bike Easy is now looking for at least fifty partners to organize the event. Those interested in leading some form of physical activity during the event, should fill out the east streets partner ...
