Spring Update
2016
Mission Statement
"Creating a healthier Alabama through obesity reduction and prevention efforts."Purpose Statement
"The Alabama Obesity Task Force works through collaboration, programs, policy and environmental changes to support and promote healthy lifestyles."
Welcome from Incoming Obesity Task Force Chair, Allison Tubbs
Greetings Alabama Obesity Task Force members and partners! I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve as your Chair for the upcoming year. We have quickly hit the ground running with a successful strategic planning workshop to zero in on our collective focus to make an even greater impact on the health of all Alabamians. The purpose of the Alabama Obesity Task Force is to support and promote healthy lifestyles in Alabama through collaboration, programs, policy changes, and environmental changes. In 2015, we launched the Get Moving Alabama campaign to recognize the importance of physical activity while encouraging physical activity opportunities for everyone. You can learn about the many other highlights of our recent work and collaborations in this newsletter. I encourage you to get plugged in as we work to revamp our committees and join us at one of our four quarterly meetings a year held at various locations across the state. To borrow quote from a former Chair, Kathe Briggs, I plan to unify this “loose band of gypsies” that all have a passion for reducing the obesity epidemic in Alabama.
Did You Know?
Unfortunately, high obesity rates also mean high incidences of obesity-related health issues. Currently, 13 percent of Alabamians are living with type II diabetes and 40% are living with hypertension (high blood pressure). Meaning, Alabama has the fourth highest incidence of diabetes and the second highest incidence of hypertension in the nation. Incidence of heart disease, arthritis, and obesity-related cancer is also very high for our state, with heart disease expected to quadruple and obesity-related cancer expected to more than double by the year 2030.
This means that Alabamians have our work cut out for us! One positive thing to note, however, is that obesity rates remained steady for our state this past year, rather than continuing the upward trend. We, the Obesity Task Force, are excited about this small victory, but know that this is only the beginning for our state! We are working hard to encourage a more healthy future for our residents by improving Nutrition and Physical Activity habits among our residents!
Check out some of the exciting things happening around our state and learn more about how YOU CAN GET INVOLVED below! Won't you join us?
Visit the State of Obesity to learn more about Alabama state obesity data, rates and trends.
We Are Making A Difference!
Alabama Healthy Vending Machine Program
AHVMP uses the 10-10-5 rule to identify healthy snacks:
- 200 calories of less per serving - only one serving
- 10% or less Daily Value of total fat
- 230mg sodium or less
- 10% or less Daily Value of total carbohydrate
- 5% or more Daily Value of at least one: fiber, vitamin D, calcium, potassium, or iron
In addition to the nearly 40 sites across the state of Alabama that are using AHVMP, Public Health Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian Sahra Pak has implemented the program in Solano County California. Here's what she had to say about the program kickoff: "the event was a success! We were able to share Alabama DPH’s wonderful work with our City Mayor, Board of Supervisors and other key persons in the city and county as well as staff and store customers."
Solano County California Encouraging Residents to Make a "Good Choice"
Fresh Fruit Display
Good Choice Floor Stickers
Healthy Cooking Food Demo
Scale Back Alabama
Get on board today! Start planning early to be a program coordinator. Visit scalebackalabama.com for details.
Encouraging Alabamians to Increase their Physical Activity
Let's Play! Activate. Empower. Inclusivize
2016 Alabama Employee Health and Fitness Walk
“Get Moving Alabama” was the theme for the 2016 Alabama Employee Health and Fitness Walk which was held on Friday, May 13, 2016, at the State Capitol. The walking event targeted worksites located in Montgomery to encourage employees and others to get up and move throughout the work day as part of an active lifestyle. The goal of this annual event is to encourage physical activity in the workplace and promote healthy habits.
Approximately 300 walkers participated in the event setting their own pace as they completed the one-mile walk. Health and fitness vendors shared related information and provided health screenings to event participants.
The event was sponsored by the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness and Sports, the Alabama State Employees’ Insurance Board (SEIB) and the Alabama Sports Festival (ASF) Foundation.
2016 Alabama Senior Olympics
For more information, check out the Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness!
Medal Winners for Senior Olympics Swimming
Senior Olympics Pickleball
National Walk @ Lunch Day was celebrated on April 27, 2016 at Linn Park in Birmingham!
And was also celebrated on April 20, 2016 at the Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium.
The Physical Activity Summit was hosted on February 26, 2016.
How livable is your community? Find out by visiting the AARP Livability Index!
Dr. Tom Miller addresses attendees
Erin Reilly, Tiffany Higginbotham, and Dr. Hank Williford support physical activity!
Bobby Humphrey and Phil Holmes support Get Moving Alabama
Attendees participating in a Physical Activity Break
Bobby Humphrey supporting physical activity!
Mayors Nick Jones, William Bell, and Tommy Battle at the Physical Activity Summit
Mayor's Models of Movement Panel
The Mayor’s Models of Movement Panel featured at the 2016 Get Moving Alabama Summit was a great success! The following communities were represented by their mayor and/or city representative as follows: Rainsville, AL- Mayor Nick Jones, Birmingham, AL – Mayor William Bell, Huntsville, AL – Mayor Tommy Battle, Montgomery, AL- Director of Public Information and External Affairs, Michael Briddell, and Alabaster, AL- Mayor Marty Handlon. Each mayor shared the biggest initiatives currently going on in their city to promote a healthier lifestyle among their citizens as well as long-term visions for their communities. All of the mayors agreed that multiple partnerships with community organizations are the key to success for implementing a long-term program that community members will invest in. The discussion ended with each mayor sharing their favorite ways to get active whether it’s playing with their grandchildren, doing yoga, being active in sports, or walking through their community. Many thanks to each and every mayor for their participation in this great event!
Miriam J. Gaines Leadership Award
Miriam J. Gaines Leadership Award recipient Kathe Briggs
Honor Award recipient Miriam "Mim" Gaines with Miriam J. Gaines Leadership Award recipients Sheena Gregg and Molly Killman
Incoming chair Allison Tubbs presents outgoing chair Dr. Hank Williford with the Miriam J. Gaines Leadership Award. Allison is also a recipient of this award
Physical Activity Summit Attendees
"I Get Moving by..."
Governor Bentley Proclaims 2016 as the Year to Get Moving Alabama!
You're Invited to the Obesity Task Force Meeting!
Please join us for the upcoming Obesity Task Force Meeting and hear from dynamic speaker(s)! You'll also have the opportunity to begin making a difference in our state by joining a committee work-group! RSVP today!
Wednesday, Dec 7, 2016, 09:00 AM
1812 Alabama 157, Cullman, AL, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Mark Your Calendar!
Add these upcoming Obesity Task Force Meetings to your calendar!
OTF Quarterly Meeting- December 7, 2016
Cullman Regional
Professional Office Building 2 – Colonel Cullman Room
1912 Alabama Highway 157
Cullman, Alabama 35058
OTF Quarterly Meeting- February 9, 2017
AARP
RSA Tower Suite 1880
201 Monroe St.
Montgomery, AL 36102