DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Thomas Schlenker
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on Comprehensive Approach to Obesity Prevention for San Antonio
SUMMARY:
This item provides a briefing by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District on a comprehensive approach to obesity prevention for San Antonio. This approach is aimed at continuing the trend of reducing the prevalence of adult and adolescent obesity in the community by 1) improving access to and increasing consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy beverages, and 2) educating residents on the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle while increasing access to physical activity resources.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two out of three adults and one out of three children in the United States are overweight or obese. Similarly, it is estimated that the nation spends nearly $190 billion a year treating obesity-related health conditions such as type-2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke and certain types of cancer. In San Antonio, Metro Health along with the CoSA Parks and Recreation Department, Mayor's Fitness Council (MFC) and Bexar County are taking the lead in working to reverse these trends.
In May of 2014, Metro Health provided a presentation to City Council during a B Session focused on the accomplishments of Metro Health's two year "Communities Putting Prevention to Work" effort to reduce obesity. Data showed that the prevalence of obesity among adults in Bexar County had shown a significant decline from 35% to 28.5%. This decline was closely associated with a parallel decline in daily soda consumption and an increase in individuals engaging in muscle building exercise. At that time, City Council asked Metro Health to work with community partners to develop a comprehensive obesity prevention strategy that focused on promoting the importance of a...
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