Posted 8:00 pm Sunday, September 25, 2011
FIT CITY: A Year Old, Fit City Challenge Getting National Attention
By DANNY MOGLE and COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writers
Recently, a panel assembled at Liberty Hall told viewers across the United States how Tyler is working to become a fit city.
During the national webinar broadcast live from the theater, Tyler was held up as an example of a community committed to becoming healthier. It was the latest recognition of the Fit City Challenge.
Since forming last year, the Fit City Challenge initiative has been encouraging people to eat a healthy diet and to exercise. Its mission statement is: “Making Tyler a Fit City, one step, one bite and one health conscious decision at a time.”
Staff Writers
Recently, a panel assembled at Liberty Hall told viewers across the United States how Tyler is working to become a fit city.
During the national webinar broadcast live from the theater, Tyler was held up as an example of a community committed to becoming healthier. It was the latest recognition of the Fit City Challenge.
Since forming last year, the Fit City Challenge initiative has been encouraging people to eat a healthy diet and to exercise. Its mission statement is: “Making Tyler a Fit City, one step, one bite and one health conscious decision at a time.”
The coalition uses the media and social networking to spread the word about steps to become healthier – such as eating more fruits and vegetables – and to draw attention to health fairs, community walks and fitness expos.
The initiative began last year following news stories by the Tyler newspaper and KYTX CBS19 that shed light on the epidemic of obesity.
Health experts say about one third of the population is overweight and that many suffer from obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Obesity is growing rapidly among children.
The initiative began last year following news stories by the Tyler newspaper and KYTX CBS19 that shed light on the epidemic of obesity.
Health experts say about one third of the population is overweight and that many suffer from obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Obesity is growing rapidly among children.
In preparing the stories, the Tyler Paper and KYTX gathered leaders from government, health agencies, fitness groups and social services to ask for input. This group became the core of the Fit City Challenge coalition.
Tyler Paper Editor Dave Berry and Northeast Texas Public Health District’s CEO George Roberts rallied many to the cause.
The coalition sponsored its first Fit City Day in Bergfeld Park last year. Dozens of organizations that promote fitness participated and about 1,200 people turned out.
The coalition then drew attention to other efforts, such as Texas College’s drive to get students and staff to walk more. Fit City volunteers presented programs encouraging corporate leaders to start workplace wellness projects.
Tyler Paper Editor Dave Berry and Northeast Texas Public Health District’s CEO George Roberts rallied many to the cause.
The coalition sponsored its first Fit City Day in Bergfeld Park last year. Dozens of organizations that promote fitness participated and about 1,200 people turned out.
The coalition then drew attention to other efforts, such as Texas College’s drive to get students and staff to walk more. Fit City volunteers presented programs encouraging corporate leaders to start workplace wellness projects.
This summer Tyler Paper Editor Dave Berry and Northeast Texas Public Health District’s CEO George Roberts spoke on Fit City at the National Association of County and City Health Officials’ annual convention.
Their presentation caught the attention of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation’s largest philanthropic organization dedicated to improving public health, the Foundation reported on Fit City on its website.
“Their (Johnson Foundation’s) whole goal is to find the best practices (that promote healthy living) and what we have going on right here is (among) best practices,” Roberts said.
Added Berry, “We’re excited to have that group pay attention to our program.”
Their presentation caught the attention of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation’s largest philanthropic organization dedicated to improving public health, the Foundation reported on Fit City on its website.
“Their (Johnson Foundation’s) whole goal is to find the best practices (that promote healthy living) and what we have going on right here is (among) best practices,” Roberts said.
Added Berry, “We’re excited to have that group pay attention to our program.”
The two also have worked with the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute, which compiles the annual County Health Rankings, a snapshot of the state of health across the nation.
The Institute sponsored the recent webinar broadcast from Liberty Hall and encourages communities to launch health initiatives such as Fit City Challenge.
Roberts and Berry say Fit City succeeds in increasing awareness and encouraging change because of the cooperation between media, health officials and public and private organizations.
All were separately doing efforts that sometimes went overlooked. Together, under the Fit City umbrella, they have become a more visible and united force in Tyler.
Stories about Fit City and health and fitness appear each Sunday in the Tyler newspaper and on the website fitcitytyler.com. During the 10 p.m. newscast each Thursday, KYTX presents “Fit City Success Stories.”
Roberts believes the community is beginning to embrace the concept of healthy living.
“We in public health can talk about this but unless the community embraces it, then it’s not going to go very far,” Roberts said. “The community sees this issue of obesity as a real problem.”
Berry said the goal of Fit City is to continue to promote healthy living and to get people excited about health and fitness opportunities in Tyler.
The second Fit City Day in the Park is set for Oct. 1 at Bergfeld Park in Tyler.
The Institute sponsored the recent webinar broadcast from Liberty Hall and encourages communities to launch health initiatives such as Fit City Challenge.
Roberts and Berry say Fit City succeeds in increasing awareness and encouraging change because of the cooperation between media, health officials and public and private organizations.
All were separately doing efforts that sometimes went overlooked. Together, under the Fit City umbrella, they have become a more visible and united force in Tyler.
Stories about Fit City and health and fitness appear each Sunday in the Tyler newspaper and on the website fitcitytyler.com. During the 10 p.m. newscast each Thursday, KYTX presents “Fit City Success Stories.”
Roberts believes the community is beginning to embrace the concept of healthy living.
“We in public health can talk about this but unless the community embraces it, then it’s not going to go very far,” Roberts said. “The community sees this issue of obesity as a real problem.”
Berry said the goal of Fit City is to continue to promote healthy living and to get people excited about health and fitness opportunities in Tyler.
The second Fit City Day in the Park is set for Oct. 1 at Bergfeld Park in Tyler.
