Healthy Living Matters

According to a report released by Mission Readiness, obesity is the leading cause of ineligibility to serve in the military. The data shows that around 71% of young Americans are ineligible to serve.  

Researchers have found that there are 5 healthy habits a mom can personally follow that will reduce the likelihood of her children becoming obese.  

A new study out of Brown University suggests that children who are overweight or obese in their first two years of life will have lower perceptual reasoning and memory scores later in their childhood.  

The Casey Foundation's 2018 Kids Count Data Book looks at child well-being in the United States. 

The Key to Weight Loss Is Diet Quality, Not Quantity, a New Study Finds 

5 Ways to Eat Healthier in 2018 

Sugary Drink Taxes Gain Momentum throughout the U.S. 

New Year, new you. For 2018, many have thoughts of New Year resolutions, including better health and nutrition. 

Farm Fresh Fridays introduce students to new veggies, healthier eating at home 

Help obese kids avoid weight stigma, doctors advise 

Youth participants in a 4-H cooking contest wait for their dishes to be judged. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Gabe Saldana) 

The number of obese children and adolescents rose to 124 million in 2016 -- more than 10 times higher than the 11 million classified as obese 40 years ago, in 1975. 

Local program fighting childhood obesity, and it's free 

Statewide obesity rates are 22.3 percent for second-graders; 26.7 percent for fourth-graders; 24.2 percent for eighth-graders; and 20.2 percent for 11th-graders. 

The Plainfield YMCA wants families in Plainfield, NJ to understand how adopting healthy habits can help reduce childhood obesity. 

Working to Close the Breast-Feeding Gap 

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and today at Cole Park in Alamosa, an event celebrates nature's solution for getting newborns all the nutrients they need. 

Breastfeeding Awareness Month: How Breastfeeding Is A Family Affair 

The Back to School Family Health Fair at Beat Creek Park July 19 offered food, fun and resources for healthy living.  

The world is in the middle of a major obesity epidemic, and current trends indicate that it's only going to get worse. 

In Harris County, 47 percent of children were classified as overweight or obese in 2012, according to Growing Up in Houston, a study conducted by the United Way.  

Pasco County gym offers FREE workouts for kids to curb childhood obesity 

In November 2014, Berkeley, Calif., passed the first significant tax on sugary drinks in the U.S. The facts are in, and it’s working. 

Local and statewide officials in the Greater Houston area are working to reduce childhood obesity—a condition that could add billions to health care costs and affect the health of this generation of children as they become adults. 

Onions pulled out of the 25-acre San Antonio Food Bank farm will be distributed to people in need in 16 counties. 

Turner Elementary has long been one of the exemplary schools when it comes to GFJ race directors announcing the Most Participants Trophy but now Turner has added a big weapon in the battle to keep children slim and trim. Back in the fall, the school announced the completion of an oval track. Completing six laps on the track equals one mile. 

Eat, Sleep, Repeat: How Kids' Daily Routines Can Help Prevent Obesity 

In the year since the nation’s first-ever municipal sugary drink tax was implemented in Berkeley, California, sales of sugary drinks dropped 9.6 percent in the city, while sales of all other drinks rose, according to a new study released Tuesday 

People move from side to side during a Zumba dance fitness class at Coventry Mall in Pottstown. About 80 percent of American adults don’t meet the national recommendations for physical activity. 

Put Your Best Fork Forward" is the theme for NNM 2017 

SAN ANTONIO -- With 71 percent of Bexar County residents considered overweight or obese, some San Antonio schools are taking a new approach to help fight childhood obesity. 

National Nutrition Month: 7 Ideas For Eating Healthy In 2017 Include Tips On Carbs, Protein And Sugars 

On the list of the greatest gifts you could give your kids, a healthy heart would be near the top. After all, heart disease is the nation’s No. 1 killer. 

The statewide competition between cities is for bragging rights on making healthy eating choices, and Pasadena is in. It's Time Texas Community Challenge runs through March 31. 

The idiom, Eat your vegetables! has been so beaten into American culture as to be meaningless. 

A new study sheds light on just how many calories and added sugars children are drinking. 

A participant in the NFL's PLAY 60 program prepares to take off at the start of a running event. Credit: The Cooper Institute 

Coaches say the key is to get kids who want to make a healthy change in their lives and let them be the coach. 

Statewide competition sure to improve Texas in many ways 

SAN ANTONIO – A man on a mission to fight childhood obesity is changing the world one step at a time. Jim Plunkett-Cole, also known as, Jim Gump, has challenged himself to run 20,000 miles across the United States. His goal is to tackle obesity and inspire both children and adults to live an active lifestyle. 

At supermarkets in Orange County, doctors and nutritionists are sometimes hard at work. Their mission? To accompany customers as they carry out their shopping — and improve their health. 

Survey Finds State Obesity Rate Higher Than Previously Thought 

The fight against childhood obesity starts with the family 

The obesity rate for low-income children is dropping in Washington state. The rate of 13.6 percent in 2014 ranks Washington just below the middle of the pack, at No. 30, among all states and the District of Columbia Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article117168483.html#storylink=cpy 

Across the country, cities large and small are taking steps to transform their communities into healthier places to live. 

You can't choose your parents, so you can't help it if you're born with genes that increase your risk of heart disease. But a study finds that you can reduce that risk greatly with a healthful lifestyle. 

Childhood Obesity and Overweight Rates Rise Only During Summer Break, Not During School Year, Research Shows 

ndover school students have traded in potato chips for whole-grain pretzels, hummus with pita bread, and fruit smoothies. 

Teens reject food when healthy eating is framed as rebellion  

Former first lady unveils new health initiative at Houston Methodist 

On July 29, 2016, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) finalized a new set of requirements governing school wellness polices.  

Refreshed design and relevant information will help consumers make healthy food choices. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced that approximately $2 million in grants is available to help state agencies retain young children in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program through age 5.  

HLM is currently accepting applications for the following positions: 

The Build Healthy Places Network and Kresge Foundation are happy to share that three BUILD Health Challenge grantees will receive the Network’s Joining Forces Planning Grants.  

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller — who caused a stir last year by pardoning a cupcake and reversing a longstanding ban on deep fryers and soda machines in schools — pushed back Thursday against those who say his policies encourage unhealthy eating among kids. 

The draft bike plan came together after over 70 community meetings and the city says it got over 1,000 public comments.  

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today announced a proposed rule designed to provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants increased access to healthy foods by requiring stores that accept SNAP to stock a wider array of food choices. 

Save the date for the upcoming HLM Collaborative Meeting! 

The initiative, highlighted during a recent forum here sponsored by USA TODAY and Cigna, has helped focus the often-redundant health programs from all over the 600-square-mile city towards the common goal of health.  

On December 1, 2015, the City of Pasadena, Texas, unanimously voted in favor of a Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement with Indoor Harvest for the purpose of establishing an open source, vertical farm and education campus on the City’s north side. 

The British case may have significant impacts on sugar consumption debates in the United States. If the UK can introduce a sugar tax that successfully reduces consumption and improves national health, Mayor Bloomberg’s dream may be revisited as a national reality. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today helped to kick off the nation's harvest season by announcing nearly $35 million in new funding through four grant programs to support local and regional food systems, including farmers markets.  

According to the most recent data released September 2015, rates of obesity now exceed 35 percent in three states (Arkansas, West Virginia and Mississippi), 22 states have rates above 30 percent, 45 states are above 25 percent, and every state is above 20 percent. Arkansas has the highest adult obesity rate at 35.9 percent, while Colorado has the lowest at 21.3 percent.  

Healthy Living Matters (HLM) is excited to announce that on Tuesday, September 15th, the Houston Endowment made the decision to fund HLM for an additional three years in the amount of $1,050,000!  

To help make temptations a little less unhealthy, the New York city council member has proposed a "Healthy Happy Meals" bill, based on a similar ordinance in California. 

A new study by Aneel Karnani, professor of strategy at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, and colleagues looks at obesity as a market failure. 

A new state law will benefit thousands of working moms and their babies. The law will require Texas public employers to provide time and space for breastfeeding moms to pump milk while at work. 

Houston is adopting its first general plan known as Plan Houston and the first step in that process is a public hearing on August 20th.  

“Improving Health Through a Sustainable Food System,” a Pasadena initiative of the Houston Food Bank, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services that emerged from their work on Healthy Living Matters (HLM), a Harris County collaborative to curb childhood obesity, was selected to receive a $250,000 grant for their efforts to improve community health from the BUILD Health Challenge, a national awards program. 

The City of Houston is kicking off the Houston Bike Plan, a 12-month planning effort to update the City’s Comprehensive Bikeway Plan originally adopted in 1993. Join them at their first set of community meetings to discuss the Houston Bike Plan.  

As bicycling and walking improvements have become more widespread in the past 20 years thanks to federal funding, questions about how and where improvements are made have been raised. This report examines 38 current bicycle and pedestrian master plans to assess the definition and inclusion of equity as a stated goal or outcome.  

Safer Streets, Stronger Economies analyzes that data and explores the outcomes communities get for their investments in Complete Streets. In this tight budget climate, transportation staff and elected leaders want to get the most out of every dollar. This research shows Complete Streets projects can help them do just that. 

Recognizing that obesity remains one of the biggest threats to the health of our children, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) today announced it will commit $500 million over the next ten years to expand efforts to ensure that all children in the United States—no matter who they are or where they live―can grow up at a healthy weight.  

AUSTIN, TEXAS – One in four Texas children lives in poverty , threatening their potential and the state's continued prosperity . According to State of Texas Children 2015 , a new Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) report released today , slight improvements in he alth care and school nutrition don’t compensate for inadequate investments in education and child protection .  

On Friday, February 6th, 2015 the Healthy Living Matters (HLM) team made its first visit to the Texas Legislature since the initial briefing on our early findings relating to childhood obesity in Harris County back in 2013.  

Please join the Harris County Healthcare Alliance and the City of Houston for the release of the 2015-2016 Houston and Harris County State of Health Report. Hear from experts as they discuss the impact of the most important health trends covered throughout the report. 

The marketing of unhealthy foods to children and youth is a major public health concern. Children in the United States grow up surrounded by food and beverage marketing, which primarily promotes products with excessive amounts of added sugar, salt, and fat, and inadequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  

The Planning and Development Department, in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Engineering and Houston-Galveston Area Council, is pleased to announce that the Heights-Northside Sub-regional Mobility study has been finalized and can be downloaded from the project website for viewing. 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced a new initiative to reduce the growing number of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and fatalities through a comprehensive approach that addresses infrastructure safety, education, vehicle safety and data collection.  

In Harris County, TX, the Department of Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES) knew that encouraging smarter development could benefit both public health and the local economy. But creating real change meant more than just having the knowledge. If smart growth was to become a reality, local officials, business leaders, and interested citizens needed to join the process and feel ownership. 

The National League of Cities (NLC) recognized the efforts of nearly 460 mayors, city council members, county commissioners and other local elected officials nationwide for their commitment to achieving health and wellness goals for Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC). More than 60 million Americans are now living in LMCTC communities that are dedicated to helping young people eat healthy foods and be physically active. 

Fly Movement, a kids’ wellness program that gives fitness bands to third graders, kicked off on October 27 at KIPP Dream Prep in Houston and is seeing its first signs of success.  

Published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State Indicator Report on Physical Activity, 2014, presents state-level information on physical activity behaviors and on environmental and policy supports for physical activity.  

Clinton Foundation is excited to launch their Houston and Harris County Blueprint for Action, a strategic plan developed with input from over 150 stakeholders that lays out the steps needed to improve community health in the Greater Houston area.  

One of Houston's most notorious food deserts is about to get some irrigation thanks to a public-private partnership. 

Input needed for study aimed at creating a more livable Cypress Creek Parkway-Kuykehndahl Road area 

A new initiative between the Department of Public Health and some of our favorite local spots are working together to change some of the menus. 

What happens when a school district's wellness policy doesn't cover student sports games or other after-school events?  

Dallas hopes to shed its "Big D" moniker, at least as it applies to the health and fitness of city workers. 

Dream up a homey image of a perfect neighborhood, and most will include sidewalks. Fort Worth City Councilman Dennis Shingleton said the city can encourage developers to build more sidewalks and connect developments with schools through various incentives.  

Severely Obese Spend Nearly Twice as Much on Health Care than Healthy Weight Individuals 

After visiting several seminars, ECO2 school leadership session struck a cord in me. 

Teens and adults worked together by communicating with each other to encourage high schools to walk and bike more to school.  

I came out of the conferences with more ideas on healthy living 

The conference is going to be a big help, I hope. I want to learn how I can try and make a difference. 

I hope to gain new ideas on safe active school transportation and new connections.” 

Some challenges to getting to school is that it is hard to find a ride because parents have work or siblings to take care of, so it becomes difficult to find someone to take you to school. 

Every section of Houston will benefit from this initiative 

Hosts Bob Sanborn and Mandi Kimball from Children at Risk, Tim Schauer, from Cornerstone Government Affairs and Policy Team Lead for Healthy Living Matters, discusses recent legislative successes and challenges 

After a trend of declining ridership over the past few years, the Metropolitan Transit Authority seems to be holding on to riders even as other large transit systems lose passengers. 

Formula-fed babies are two-and-a-half times more likely to become obese by age two. 

The Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards support better health for our kids. 

The American Medical Assn. voted Tuesday to declare obesity a disease, a move that effectively defines 78 million American adults and 12 million children as having a medical condition 

When it comes to confronting childhood obesity, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health conclude that community-based approaches are important. 

A new study found that the right type of policies could help to reduce sugar and fat intake among American public school children. 

HLM Policy Lead Tim Schauer featured on “Growing up in America”! 

In the United States, children are eating far fewer sugary sweets than they did 15 years ago, according to data crunched exclusively for USA TODAY 

This article, published by Henry Ford Health System, detials 7 steps that parents and caregivers can follow in order to encourage healthy lifestyles in children and put them on the path to success.  

A new study from the University of Kentucky finds a connection between an expectant mothers smoking habits and an increased risk of obesity for the child.