In the fight against obesity, it’s about little steps adding up to big successes. Take the stairs instead of using the elevator. Choose the low-fat option on the menu. In our communities, it means promoting walking and biking instead of taking the bus or driving.
The Rhode Island Department of Health’s (HEALTH) Initiative for a Healthy Weight program welcomes keynote speaker Mark Fenton to its Eat Smart Move More Summit on Friday, January 15, 2009. Fenton, a public health, planning and transportation expert for non-motorized transportation, will discuss the importance of changing a community’s physical environment and how those changes can make healthy choices, like walking or biking, the easy choice. Fenton will share how Rhode Island can implement programs that were successful in other communities across the nation.
Nationally, the movement to promote menu labeling has gained momentum. This effort encourages providing the calorie content of all food items to the consumer at the time of purchase. New York University Professor of Medicine and Health Policy Dr. Brian Elbel will talk about the success of menu labeling in New York City.
“Fighting the obesity epidemic requires support from everyone,” said Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. “This conference will help participants understand the root causes and the social and environmental factors that contribute to this national problem. We all must continue to advocate for improvements that support healthier and more active communities.”
Other speakers include Somerville Massachusetts mayor Joseph Curtatone and Duke University Professor of Community and Family Medicine Dr. Sara Benjamin.
This summit is free and is by invitation only. Deadline for registration is Thursday, January 14, 2010. To register call Lisa Hawthorne at 222-1383 or email lisa.hawthorne@health.ri.gov