Summer Update
2017
Mission
"Creating a healthier Alabama through obesity reduction and prevention efforts."Purpose
"The Alabama Obesity Task Force works through collaboration, programs, policy and environmental changes to support and promote healthy lifestyles."
Tagline Contest
Congratulations to our Winner: Yulonda Randolph!
Yulonda Randolph submitted the winning tagline: Sweet Healthy Alabama. She will receive a Green Bike compliments of Regions Bank, along with a basket of produce from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries!
Our finalists will also receive a basket of produce!
- Jill Morgan
- Carolyn MacVicar
- T.J. Exford
- Ashley Cumbie
Look for our new tagline, "Sweet Healthy Alabama" to be used to promote health and wellness messages across our state.
The Alabama Obesity Task Force would like to thank Regions Bank and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for their support.
Obesity Task Force in the News
In this news article, Nichalaus "Nick" Sims, Chair of the Alabama Obesity Task Force, encouraged "additional buy-in" and "political capital" from Montgomery to help support Obesity reduction efforts. He also encouraged participation in the upcoming "100-Mile Challenge," the Task Force's upcoming public awareness campaign that allows people to compete to see who can reach the 100-mile goal in the shortest amount of time.
Additionally, AL.com highlighted Get Moving Alabama, and the support by former Governor Robert Bentley; Scale Back Alabama; the Alabama Healthy Vending Machine Program; and other initiatives across our state.
Healthy Huntsville
The Alabama Obesity Task Force had a great meeting on Friday, August 4th in Huntsville! Mayor Tommy Battle joined and discussed Huntsville's commitment to health through an 8-year Healthy Huntsville initiative. He discussed the cities priority to make connected spaces where people live, learn, work and play and encouraged other city leaders across the state to get engaged in a healthy "something" like his Mayor's Bike Ride and the 100 Mile Walk. Watch the video summary below of the Mayor's comments. The meeting concluded with a walking tour around downtown Huntsville and Big Spring Park. A BIG thanks to the city of Huntsville for being wonderful hosts and leading the way for healthy cities in Alabama!
Scale Back Alabama
Scale Back Alabama is a free weight loss and physical activity program designed to encourage Alabamians statewide to get healthy by losing weight and having fun while doing it. The public/private partnership is sponsored by the Alabama Hospital Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, and the Alabama Department of Public Health.
2018 Scale Back Kickoff
This year, Scale Back Alabama will be providing year round health and wellness messaging through the SBA app, emails, and social media outlets.
Scale Back Alabama will also be promoted from August to December in magazine ads, on top of gas pumps, and on indoor billboards to increase awareness and interest in the program.
Let's get ready to lose weight, get healthy, and have fun!
Alabama State Collaborative Workshop on Walkable Communities
More than 45 state agency staff, representatives of statewide non-profit organizations, and local officials were in attendance.
The workshop was well attended and received and included topics such as:
- "Best Practices in Collaborating for Walkable Communities"
- A Panel discussion with ALDOT, ADPH, and ADECA
- "Walkability Audits"
- A panel of Alabama's Local Leaders,
- APresentation by ALDOT on the "Draft State Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan"
- Small Group Discussion and Strategic Planning Sessions
Read more about the walkability summit in this ADECA blog post.
Superfit School Challenge
The SuperFit School Challenge is a healthy fundraising partnership with Action for Healthy Kids, a national non-profit organization that has been supporting schools in becoming healthier places for students and communities since 2002. We know schools. And with most school fundraisers offering unhealthy snacks and beverages, we wanted to overhaul this model and create a fundraiser that engages students and their communities in healthy behaviors while also helping schools meet their fundraising goals.
More than just a run or walk-a-thon, the SuperFit School Challenge incorporates physical activity and nutrition education into your curriculum. The program includes a healthy eating and physical activity component and comprehensive toolkit for fundraising and conducting the fun, healthy and interactive culminating event – the SuperFit School Obstacle Course.
What’s more, you have a partner in Action for Healthy Kids, which provides technical support from start to finish. This partnership helps to ensure your fundraising success and fuel not only your school’s needs but also the mission of AFHK. Contact your AFHK State Coordinator, Grace Perry, if your school is interested in learning more.
Fund Alabama School Wellness Initiatives with a 2017-2018 School Grant
Calling all schools in Shelby, Walker, St. Clair, Jefferson and Blount counties. Does your school need equipment and resources for school health and wellness initiatives? Never written a grant before? No problem, applying is easy. We’re here to help you submit a successful application.
Apply for a Game On ($1,000) grant to increase physical activity opportunities (through PE, recess, classroom energizers, before/after school programming, etc.) and improve nutrition initiatives (with nutrition education, school gardens, taste tests, healthy celebrations, etc.).
Deadline to apply is September 15, 2017. Contact your AFHK State Coordinator, Grace Perry, with questions.
Calling all Current and New Members of the Alabama Obesity Task Force!
The strength of the Task Force comes from our members and the experiences they share. To help us maintain a membership data base and learn more about your interests, please complete this online membership survey (current and new members):
Membership is FREE!
The Alabama Obesity Task Force is a volunteer membership organization that addresses obesity through advocacy, changes, and programs.
Becoming a member comes with benefits which include:
- Staying abreast of emerging nutrition and physical activity, lifestyle issues, and strategies that affect obesity
- Strengthening leadership skills
- Networking with peers, state, and community leaders
- Influencing advocacy
- Training opportunities
- Collaborating with partners to make decisions
For more information on the Obesity Task Force, visit our website: adph.org/obesity
If you would like to be a part of the Task Force, please complete the online application form.
Get Social!
This newsletter is a semi-annual publication of the Alabama Obesity Task Force. Content submissions will be accepted through May 1, 2017 for the next publication in June 2017 and can be sent to Lita Chatham at lita.chatham@adph.state.al.us.