The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County is recognizing the City of Oviedo as a Healthy Weight Community Champion. The City of Oviedo has implemented “best practices” to promote wellness, physical activity, and improve nutrition in its jurisdiction.
In recognition of how the City of Oviedo has positively impacted the health environment in its community the Department of Health in Seminole County will present a certificate to city leaders.
The certificate, which is signed by Florida State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health, Dr. John Armstrong, will be presented Monday, June 2, 2014 during the Oviedo City Council Meeting at city hall, 400 Alexandria Blvd. Oviedo at 6:30 pm.
“We applaud the City of Oviedo for leading the way. A person’s physical environment has a lot to do with poor health outcomes, so if more municipalities build healthier physical environments, through Health In All Policies (HIAP) approach, their citizens will live a lot longer,” said Dr. Swannie Jett, Health Officer of the Department of Health in Seminole County.
Between November 2013 and February 2014, local governments were invited to submit best practice policies they implemented to promote physical activity and improve nutrition in their communities. Some of these “best practices” include: creating wellness and fitness centers; building more walkable communities to include more sidewalks and fitness trails; and providing more nutritious foods in vending machines and at farmers’ markets.
The Community Champions program is part of the Department’s Healthiest Weight Florida initiative. Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, local governments, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations and entire communities to help Florida’s children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living. To learn more about Healthiest Weight Florida, please visit www.HealthiestWeightFL.com.
A list of the Champion Communities and best practices can be found online at: www.HealthiestWeightFL.com.
