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A Houston/Harris County Childhood Obesity Prevention Collaborative
June 6, 2014 / Issue XXI
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Contact us at our new number:
713-439-6118
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 Ketelsen Elementary Opens New Trail in Near Northside!
During the assessment phase of HLM's work, a recommendation was made by Near Northside parents to install a paved trail in the Ketelsen Elementary Spark Park. In an effort to address the community's recommendation and increase physical activity among children and families in Near Northside, HLM funded the development of a walking trail at Kelelsen Elementary's Spark Park in partnership with AVENUE CDC. As part of the parks amenities, the planning team envisioned a walking trail that would constitute a safe place for parents and students to be physically active. The trail provides a safe and inexpensive option for physical activity for a wide range of residents, including parents, children, youth, and older adults.
 | Students, teachers and other community members taking the first walk on the new trail
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The ribbon cutting was held Friday, May 16th in conjunction with the school's field day activities. Participants included students, HLM, CAN DO Houston, and the Ketelsen Trailblazers, a group of community residents.
To learn more about the assessment work done in the Near Northside area and other resident recommendations, take a look at our Built Environment & Food Access Assessment report.
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Join the YMCA Advocacy Network!
 Advocates are the backbone of any cause-driven organization. We know that when engaged advocates connect to a cause they have the potential to inspire and spark change! Please join the YMCA's advocacy network by TAKING ACTION here! Together, we can fight childhood obesity and make Texas a healthier place for our kids to live!
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Featured Resources:
Eat Healthy * Be Active Community Workshops
 The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has developed six one-hour community workshops titled Eat Healthy * Be Active. Each workshop includes a lesson plan, learning objectives, talking points, hands-on activities, videos, and handouts. To access this resource online or request a free hard copy, visit the HHS Dietary Guidelines webpage.
Healthy Meeting Toolkit
 Nearly half of our waking hours are spent at work, and many of those hours are spent in meetings and conferences. By adopting healthy meeting guidelines, organizations can help to create an environment that supports employees' and members' efforts to eat well and be physically active. To help do this, the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity developed the Healthy Meeting Toolkit, which includes guidance on key components of a healthy meeting and resources to help make hosting healthy meetings easier.
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TEXAS OBESITY NEWS
Texas is Dangerous for Walkers
Houston pedestrians better cross with care. The city is the seventh most dangerous in the nation for people on foot, according to a new report from the National Complete Streets Coalition at Smart Growth America, a nonprofit that advocates for neighborhood safety. Texas ranked as the 10th most dangerous state for walking commuters, with nearly 4,200 pedestrian deaths between 2003 and 2012. That's roughly 10% of such deaths nationally during that time period, according to data compiled from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics. Full Article
UT Health Science Center-San Antonio Studies Childhood Obesity Among Texas Latinos
As diabetes and obesity remain at epidemic levels for the Latino community, a study at the UT Health Science Center-San Antonio aims to keep Hispanic children from becoming another member of the statistic pool. Full Article
Sunday Streets Pilot Reaches Its End
If attendance estimates are correct, Houston residents can support open streets events, provided the weather is nice. Sunday marked the final Sunday Streets HTX, a pilot program wherein the city shuts down a section of street so folks can take a walk, bike, hula-hoop, whatever they want - and do it free from vehicle traffic. Full Article
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NATIONAL OBESITY NEWS
Illinois Considers State-Wide Sugary Drink Tax
In February 2014, Illinois Sate Senator Mattie Hunter sponsored legislation that would add an extra penny on every ounce of sugary drinks sold in sealed containers , along with the syrups and powders used to flavor them . The Heal Act, includes key set asides for its estimated $600 million in revenues that will help to fund public health efforts to reduce obesity and promote healthy eating and physical activity. Full Article
CA4Health Kids Implement School Water Stations
In Humboldt County, the local health department partnered with students and staff at Eureka High School to implement Hydration Nation, an effort that increased the access and appeal of fresh drinking water as a healthy alternative to the sugary beverages that are helping fuel the nation's obesity epidemic. Full Article
More Than Half of States Already Making Progress on "Smart Snacks" Standards
While the fight continues to make sure Congress does not weaken, delay or stop improved nutritional guidelines for school nutrition, many schools across the country already have a head start when it comes to implementing Smart Snacks Standards. Full Article
Minnesota Investing in Sidewalks and Crosswalks to Get Kids Moving
Despite the cold winters, Minnesotans are known across the nation for their willingness to be outdoors and get active year round. Now kids in MN will have more paths to walk and ride on their way to school. With more than 25 organizations involved, the Minnesotans for Healthy Kids Coalition (MHKC) and their partners in the Minnesota Safe Routes to School coalition have advanced both programs and policies to increase physical activity before and after school, including clarifying liability for shared use agreements and creating a state Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, and securing funding from the Department of Transportation. Full Article
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RESEARCH & REPORTS
Dangerous by Design. Full Report
The 2014 United States Report Card On Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Full Report
Community-Level Obesity Prevention Initiatives. Full Report
Impact of Pediatric Obesity on Grades in Elementary School. Full Article
Examining the Potential Disconnect Between Parent's Perceptions and Reality Regarding the Physical Activity Levels of Their Children. Full ArticleEnding SNAP Subsidies for Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Could Reduce Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. Full Article
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UPCOMING EVENTS
National Trails Day Saturday, June 7, 2014
More Information
Let's Move! Webinar: Media Smart Youth
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM CST
NCCOR Webinar: A Deeper Dive Into Childhood Obesity Declines
Thursday, June 12, 2014 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CST
Let's Move! Webinar: The National Physical Activity Plan Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST Register HLM-Pasadena Community Task Force Meeting Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Pasadena City Hall, 1211 Southmore Ave, Pasadena, TX 77502 More information To view more events in the month of June, visit our Calendar of Events webpage.
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