Third King County Overweight Prevention Initiative Forum

Activate was the theme of the Third King County Overweight Prevention Initiative Forum held October 14 at the Tukwila Community Center. The goal was to harness the momentum generated at previous forums in which work groups assessed and prioritized actions in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, healthy communities, and media/messaging. That work resulted in the development of a 10 point plan to be presented to the King County Board of Health on October 21, 2005 for passage as part of a Resolution on Obesity Prevention.

The forum emphasized the critical link between policy, public health practice, and research and illustrated the productive partnerships that have formed throughout King County to address the obesity epidemic. Speakers included local elected officials, researchers, and community representatives. While some presentations showcased local activities that promote healthier eating and increase physical activity, others outlined cutting-edge research in nutritional science and spatial epidemiology. Washington State Health Officer Maxine Hayes gave an inspiring talk and mentioned how policy is an action, and something we can all do, not just elected officials.

The Initiative is sponsored by the King County Board of Health, the University of Washington Exploratory Center for Obesity Research and Center for Public Health Nutrition, and Public Health - Seattle & King County.

Evaluation Results

Presentations

• Barbara Rolls, PhD: Portion Size and Practical Approaches to Obesity Prevention
• Maxine Hayes, MPH, MD: The Policy View from Olympia
• Phil Hurvitz: The Geography of Obesity, Mapping and Modeling in King County
• Fit and Active Bellevue
• Seattle Schools Walking Challenge
• Evergreen Hospital Stair Prompts

Links

• Agenda
• Board of Health Resolutions, Passed October 21 2005
• Press Release
• Photos
• Letter from US Senator Maria Cantwell

Slideshow (4 photos)