2. What is ACTIVATE Chester County? A collaboration among hospitals, health and recreation organizations, school districts, municipalities, & community service organizations that advocates for policy & behavior changes that decrease the obesity rate in Chester County.

3. Mission Advocate for programs, policies and a physical environment that encourage physical activity and healthy eating to prevent lifestyle-related diseases among Chester County residents.

4. Vision Chester County residents adopt a healthy lifestyle and advocate for a supportive environment that facilitates healthy living.

5. Our key message is… Move more Eat smarter Create a supportive environment

6. Organizational Structure Steering Committee Advocacy/EducationCommunicationsSchools

7. A supportive environment: Includes: Physical environment Policies & regulations, such as no smoking laws and land use regulations Programs, such as workplace wellness

8. Chester County successes: In most years, Chester County has the highest medium income in the Commonwealth Chester County commonly has very high education attainment rates –99% graduating from high school –74% completing some college

9. Chester County’s obesity problem: In 2008, 27.3% of public school children had a body mass index (BMI) in the 85 th percentile or above –Normal BMI falls between 5 th to 85 th percentile In a 2008 survey, 56% of adults reported that they were overweight or obese

10. BMI Data by School District

11. Obesity is a reversible problem. National initiatives have already reversed public health problem such as: Infant car seats reducing accident injuries Seat belts and air bags saving lives Smoking cessation reducing smoking related illness Littering campaigns

12. ACTIVATE’S strategy: Reversing obesity can become the “new” seat belt change through: Creating a county-wide network for local grass roots advocates such as trails groups, food cupboards, running clubs, and bike clubs Connecting local advocates with national groups

13. Local ACTIVATE Groups

14. National groups include: National Center for Bicycling and Walking National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity Activate America National YMCA http://www.ymca.net Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign: http://www.letsmove.gov

15. State groups include: PA Buy Fresh Buy Local Energy Balance: The Movement to Make Health Easy http://www.nrgbalance.org PA Nutrition Education Network http://www.panen.org

16. What ACTIVATE can do: Increase public awareness of obesity Promote community mobilization Connect people with local ACTIVATE groups Leverage local groups’ resources Involve all community stakeholders Showcase things that are being done

17. What ACTIVATE has already done: Neighborhood walks and health fairs New trails built Expanded farmers markets and community gardens Stronger school-based wellness programs Wellness programs in area businesses Youth involvement in ACTIVATE groups

18. Who could be ACTIVATE partners? Municipal governments & elected officials Schools, PTAs, & educational groups Businesses, employers, and chambers of commerce Churches, service clubs & community groups

19. What municipal officials can do: Establish policies and regulations that: Promote safe walking trails Require sidewalks in new developments Encourage farmers markets and community gardens Establish bike lanes on appropriate roads, and bike racks where needed Educate via newsletters or websites

20. What schools & PTAs can do: Develop active wellness councils Healthy foods in cafeterias & vending machines Healthy fundraisers (not candy sales) Walking programs before & after school Allow community groups to use school facilities Add “Move More/Eat Smart” to curriculums

21. What employers can do: Enact policies that promote healthy behaviors Participate in Corporate Cup competitions Healthy food at meetings & in vending machines Annual employee health screenings Health insurance deductions for annual physicals or fitness club memberships Establish walking trails & farmers markets in industrial parks

22. What churches & community organizations can do: Education via newsletters or websites Healthy fundraisers (not candy sales) Host on-site wellness programs Healthy foods at gatherings Establish raised bed gardens Establish biking, hiking and walking groups

23. More information: ACTIVATE Chester County: http://www.activatechestercounty.org/ http://www.activatechestercounty.org/