A Houston/Harris County Childhood Obesity Prevention Collaborative 
September 2016  /  Issue No. 45     
National Childhood Obesity Month!
September is National Childhood Obesity Month! We encourage you to visit COAM, a national resource that highlights the many groups working to curb childhood obesity. Also, make sure to check out TeamNutrition  to review efforts from organizations across the country. Send us what you are doing to recognize Childhood Obesity Awareness Month!
In This Issue


Street Olympics Final Event honors late  Commissioner Lee as founder of the youth program for 30 years. 

Raising of America  RasingofAmerica



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Street Olympics Final Event honors late Commissioner Lee as founder of the youth program 30 years ago StreetOlympics

Edited version of a story written and shared by  Harris County Precinct One.
 
The  Harris County Street Olympics Summer Games  kicked off on June 10th. About 2,200 boys and girls competed in so-called "street games" - jacks, jump rope, hopscotch, Hula Hoop and others - during the 30th  anniversary of the Harris County Street Olympics Final Event on Aug. 5.
   
All attention was focused on the Summer Games' Final Event, the first Street Olympics component that started in 1986 with about 200 children competing in the games. This year, the Final Event at NRG Arena attracted 2,200 boys and girls ages 6 to 15 who competed in 12 events for gold, silver and bronze medals.

They were the best of hundreds of athletes who vied for eight weeks at Street Olympics participating youth agencies that include Houston Parks and Recreation Department sites, YMCAs, churches, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Salvation Army facilities.




 

Elizabeth Walton, 11, center, stands on the podium at the Final Event after winning her division in basketball dribble on Aug. 5 at NRG Arena.


During the day's competition, the expressions and smiles on the current Street Olympians' faces were proof that Lee - through the Final Event - was still touching lives. When not competing, they also enjoyed the Bright Futures Fair, which included about 100 booths with representatives who offered educational information on health, safety and careers. 

One participant, Elizabeth Walton, 11, who attends Fonde Recreation Center, has already mapped out her future through the game of basketball. Moments after standing in the No. 1 spot on the podium for basketball dribble, Elizabeth said she wants to attend Louisiana State University or Texas A&M to play basketball.



Raising of America Panel Discussion: October 7th from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM   RaisingofAmerica 
 
The Raising of America documentary explores how conditions faced by children and their families during infancy and the early years can alter the developing brain and affect a child's future success. HLM recognizes the importance of early childhood development and education in shaping a child's future health status.

 

Our Early Care & Education and Out-of-School Time (ECOS) group has identified and works on initiatives to positively affect childhood obesity from any early age, including a resource guide and call-to-action for early childcare and out-of-school time providers. In line with the information and strategies presented in The Raising of America, HLM continues to work towards policy and environmental changes to positively affect health.

Join us as we preview The Raising of America with a panel discussion to follow. 

Date: Friday, October 7, 2016
Time: 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Children's Museum of Houston - Brown Auditorium 1500 Binz St, Houston, TX 77004 
 
For more information contact Katie Chennisi at   
cchennisi@hcphes.org 
USDA Ruling Sets New Requirements For School Wellness Policies ITTSummit

On July 29, 2016, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) finalized a new set of requirements governing school wellness polices.  According to the USDA's  summary of the ruling , the revised wellness policies must include:
  • Specific goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. [Local educational agencies] are required to review and consider evidence-based strategies in determining these goals.
  • Standards and nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages sold to students on the school campus during the school day that are consistent with Federal regulations for:
    • School meal nutrition standards, and the
    • Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
  • Standards for all foods and beverages provided, but not sold, to students during the school day (e.g., in classroom parties, classroom snacks brought by parents, or other foods given as incentives).
  • Policies for food and beverage marketing that allow marketing and advertising of only those foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
  • Description of public involvement, public updates, policy leadership, and evaluation plan.

   
Schools will be assessed by state agencies every three years to check for compliance. You can view the USDA's ruling in its entirety  here.

Summary of Final Ruling:
United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Science. (2016). Local School Wellness Policy Implementation Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010


IT'S TIME TEXAS FeaturedResource 

ITS TIME TEXAS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a statewide organization focused on dramatically improving the landscape of health and wellness in Texas. Our free programs, tools, and services leverage innovative technology and harness the collective power of Texas' leading agencies, institutions, organizations and companies to empower Texans to lead healthier lives and build healthier communities. Simply put, we make healthy easier in the Lone Star State.



Healthy Living Matter's Health Analyst Katie Chennisi recently presented at the 2016 ITS TIME TEXAS summit. Katie presented over the sustainability of wellness programs at the community level. 

ITS TIME TEXAS has recently published an official White Paper consolidating themes and strategies of the organization. The link can be found here
UPCOMING EVENTS Events
Learning Mindfullness
September 14 - October 26, 2016 from  7:00PM - 8:00PM
The Health Museum 1515 Hermann Dr. Houston, Texas 77004

Wellness Wednesday in Houston 
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 6:30AM
1201 Fannin Street  Houston Texas   77002

Organizer of The Expanding Role of Promotores/Community Health Workers Promoting Resiliency
Friday, September 30, 2016 from 8 :00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Fountain LifeCenter  14083 S. Main Street  Houston, Tx

Children's Policy Forum Hosted by Texans for Children 
Wednesday, October 5, 2016 from 12:00PM-1:30PM
Offices of MHA Greater Houston 2211 Norfolk, Suite 810, Houston, TX 77098


Friday, October 7, 2016 from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Children's Museum of Houston - Brown Auditorium 1500 Binz St, Houston, TX 77004 
For more information contact Katie Chennisi at 
cchennisi@hcphes.org 


To view more events, visit our Calendar of Events webpage