Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth - Heidi Hertz

Childhood Obesity

VFHY follows CDC’s target strategies to promote healthy living

Increase access to healthy foods:•Eat more fruits and vegetables•ReThink your drink•Portion size•Promote breastfeeding

Promote active environments:•Be Active•Reduce screentime 12%

of middle school students are

obese

11% of high school students are

obese

Childhood Obesity

• The food we eat determines how healthy we are

VFHY Childhood Obesity Grantees

• 59 Healthy Youth Community Action Teams (HCAT) have been funded

• HCATs support environments, systems and policy changes in their communities to increase access to healthy food and promote increased physical activity

• HCATs have more than 295 partner organizations across the state

Next Steps

• Food Desert Report- HHR Taskforce on Nutrition and Obesity

• Engaging youth in addressing healthy food access