CNCounty News

Counties embrace initiatives guiding Floridians to healthy weight

Florida's county officials are not only talking the talk, they're also walking the walk.

Over the last two years, several initiatives, sponsored by the state's health department, have focused on the participation of county leaders as they joined ranks with public health officials to encourage more active lifestyles.

The three campaigns Healthy Promise Florida, Healthiest Weight Community Champions and FloridaWalks! are part of a broader initiative, Healthiest Weight Florida. They're intended to help children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living.

The premier event, FloridaWalks!, was an interactive walking challenge designed to engage Florida's county leadership and county staff in physical activity. The challenge was co-sponsored by the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Association of Counties and promoted by Florida's state surgeon general and secretary of health, Dr. John Armstrong, and Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge , former president of the Florida Association of Counties, now NACo second vice president.

More than 600 participants competed to finish the virtual 2,000-mile trek throughout Florida from Pensacola to Key West walking a combined 803,185,974 steps during the challenge. Individual participants virtually walked through each county in the state and received motivational tips, challenges and reminders along the way. Awards were given to the counties with the most steps and to the most consistent trackers.

Currently, county health officials are taking part in a new Healthiest Weight initiative called Healthy Promise Florida. The initiative is a message board campaign promoting small, achievable commitments to healthier choices during 2015. The public is invited to join local leaders in making a promise in person at local county health department buildings where display boards are available for individuals to post their promises.

The Healthiest Weight Community campaign recognized 65 communities as the 2015 Healthy Weight Community Champions for their best practices to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

These initiatives demonstrate an increased awareness and adoption of healthier lifestyles by county leadership. When it comes to weight loss, even relatively small reductions can significantly improve health outcomes.

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