LiveWell Chaffee County today announced that it has received continued funding from LiveWell Colorado in the amount of $150,000 to reduce obesity and help residents of Chaffee County live healthy lives.
LiveWell Colorado, a non-profit organization committed to reducing obesity in Colorado by promoting healthy eating and active living, recently awarded funding to communities across the state to help reverse the state’s obesity trends and reduce related chronic diseases. LiveWell Chaffee County is one of more than 20 communities to receive funding in 2010. LiveWell Colorado grant recipients focus on implementing strategies that improve healthy environments, change local policies and remove residents’ barriers to healthy choices.
“LiveWell Colorado is committed to ensuring that every Coloradoan has opportunities for healthy eating and active living in the places they live, learn, work and play,” said Maren Stewart, president and CEO of LiveWell Colorado. “Community investment is a key strategy that will enable us to drive positive change across the state. These grants are awarded to communities who have strategic plans to make an impact through education and action.”
LiveWell Chaffee County will use the grant funds to support policy change, increase fruit and vegetable consumption, increase physical activity and implement worksite wellness programs. A LiveWell Colorado grant recipient since 2009, LiveWell Chaffee County is in its first year of implementation of their strategic plan.
These and other activities will be guided by the LiveWell Chaffee County coalition. Support from partnering organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Chaffee County and others will further ensure that program messages and activities reach a broad range of community members.
“We are thrilled to continue to put these funds to work in ways that make a positive difference in our community,” said Lisa Malde, Director of LiveWell Chaffee County. “This grant will enable LiveWell Chaffee County to build a healthier Chaffee County and a healthier Colorado.”
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, obesity is the single greatest public health threat to the nation. Although Colorado rates as the leanest state in adult obesity rankings, recent national data show that the state has fallen from third leanest to twenty-third in childhood obesity rankings. One in five Colorado adults is considered obese and more than one in four Colorado children is overweight or obese. If trends in obesity and overweight rates continue at their current pace, only 35 percent of Coloradoans will be at healthy weights by 2017, putting a large portion of the population at risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension and asthma.
For more information about this initiative, visit LiveWellColorado.
Lisa Malde, Director
LiveWell Chaffee County
Office 530-2569
Cell 207-2435
lmalde@chaffeecounty.org
About LiveWell Colorado
LiveWell Colorado is a non-profit organization committed to reducing obesity in Colorado by promoting healthy eating and active living. Leading a comprehensive approach, LiveWell Colorado inspires and advances policy, environmental and lifestyle changes that aim to provide every Coloradoan with access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity in the places they live, work, learn and play.
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