HealthyKids

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Healthy Kids -- Las Cruces

Governor’s Office Wins $100,000 Grant to

Combat Rising Childhood Obesity Trend

(Santa Fe) – New Mexico recently won a $100,000 national grant to combat the growing problem of childhood obesity in the state. New Mexico was one of 15 states to receive the one-year grant from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices.

Obesity prevention is one of Governor Bill Richardson’s top public health priorities. His office applied for the grant, which the New Mexico Department of Health will coordinate. The grant will help New Mexico support children and teenagers to create healthy eating habits and a physically active lifestyle.

Last year, the Department of Health brought together seven state departments managing 40 health, nutrition, education, agriculture and physical fitness programs to form the first state government interagency addressing obesity prevention. A central feature of the grant is building greater consistency and collaboration among the programs represented by the New Mexico Interagency for the Prevention of Obesity.

“I have always emphasized the importance of collaboration in my administration,” Governor Richardson said. “This is the first time we have all the key government players talking to one another about how we can work together to help our citizens lead healthy lives.”

For the grant, the Department of Health will pilot obesity prevention programs in Las Cruces to determine successful ways of supporting New Mexicans to change their behaviors. In November, the Department will meet with key stakeholders in Las Cruces to develop innovative programs that will promote healthy behaviors in their schools, businesses, neighborhoods, health-care settings and homes.

“We want to make it easier for our children and teenagers to develop eating and activity habits that will help them become healthy adults,” said Health Secretary Dr. Alfredo Vigil. “This requires interventions not only at the individual level, but at the family, community, and public policy levels.”

The New Mexico Interagency for the Prevention of Obesity will also work in collaboration with the New Mexico Healthier Weight Council, a coalition of diverse public and private partners.

“If we are to reverse the increasing trends in childhood and teenage obesity then we need to build strong and sustainable public-private partnerships,” said Judith Candelaria, chairwoman of the New Mexico Healthier Weight Council.

The grant will further New Mexico’s progress in improving the health of children. This year, Governor Richardson approved $8 million of state funding to increase the number of physical education classes in elementary schools, $2.8 million to expand the school breakfast program and $2 million to fund after school enrichment programs that focus on school nutrition and activity.

State surveys in 2005 found that 21 percent of New Mexico adults were obese and 12 percent of New Mexico high school students were obese.

December 6, 2007 Kickoff Meeting Agenda December 7, 2007 Kickoff Meeting Agenda

Kickoff Meeting PowerPoint Presentation Healthy Las Cruces Survey Results

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Steering Committee Contact Information:

Ray Stewart, Director, Public Health Division, Region 5. Tel. (575) 528-5174; ray.stewart@state.nm.us

Dawn Sanchez, Health Promotion Program Manager, Tel. (575) 528-5148; dawn.sanchez@state.nm.us

David Vigil, Bureau Chief, Chronic Disease Bureau, NMDOH (505) 841-5836; david.vigil1@state.nm.us

Lisa Gatan, Community Mobilization Specialist, Chronic (505) 222-8605; lisa.gatan@state.nm.us

Patty Morris, Healthy Las Cruces, Healthy Kids Initiative Coordinator, Office of the Secretary/DOH (Santa Fe) – (505) 827-2520; patty.morris@state.nm.us

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Setting Committee Reports:

The Healthy Kids Las Cruces Implementation Plan was released to the public on April 24th,

accompanied by the Healthy Kids Las Cruces Fact Sheet.

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Next Steps:

June 20, 1-3p: Training for adult healthier weight management by New Mexico Medical Society.

July 16, 8a-12p: Training for pediatric & family healthy weight by Envision NM: Presentations

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LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE PRESENTATION PowerPoint presentation delievered on July 17, 2008

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HKLC Annual Meeting on October 22, 2008