News & Events

CITY, COUNTY OFFICIALS
SUPPORT “FITFUTURE” MESSAGE

United Way and its community partners officially launched the “FitFuture” obesity prevention initiative with presentations to three groups of officials in a single day. The Fort Worth and Arlington City Councils and Tarrant County Commissioners Court all proclaimed Sept. 28 “FitFuture Day.”

Among those on hand for the proclamation during the Fort Worth City Council meeting were Dora Aguilera and her 13-year-old daughter Erika. In January 2004 Erika began “Kids Fit 4 Life,” an


New United Way President and CEO Tim
Carter addressed the Fort Worth City
Council, backed by others who joined in
celebrating “FitFuture Day.”

evaluation and treatment program for seriously obese children that is partly funded by United Way.
Dora attended “Kids Fit 4 Life” classes with Erika and adopted her daughter’s healthier new lifestyle.

Less than nine months later, Erika had lost four dress sizes, and her cholesterol--once high--was
normal. Her mother also had lost several dress sizes. Equally important, the United Way-funded
program helped mother and daughter make long-term lifestyle changes they can use to stay fit and
healthy in the future.

COMMUNITY PLAN GUIDES
EFFORTS TO CURB OBESITY

A coordinated plan to tackle obesity in Tarrant County has been produced by Tarrant County United Way in collaboration with the Fort Worth Public Health Department and Tarrant County Public Health.

The plan, “FitFuture for Tarrant County,” includes recommendations for specific segments of the community:

  • Government leaders and officials

  • Schools

  • Health professionals

  • Community organizations and faith-based groups

  • Workplaces

The plan is available in both summary and full-length versions. The full report includes a FitFuture weight-loss plan for individuals and families. The weight-loss plan is based on the essentials of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and has passed the review of local boards of health. Underwriting to publish “FitFuture for Tarrant County” was provided by the Women’s Foundation of North Texas.

The full report was written by Thomas Tai-Seale, DR.P.H., of the Texas A&M University School of Rural Public Health. It combines several sources, including a review of hundreds of journal articles on weight loss methods and the causes of weight gain; a review of federal and state policy guidelines; and input from numerous Tarrant County community groups. The groups attended a January 2004 obesity and fitness symposium led by United Way and were asked to contribute their ideas about how obesity can be addressed in Tarrant County.

UNITED WAY STAFF "WALK THE TALK
IN COMMUNITY'S FIGHT AGAINST OBESITY
 

Led by a trio of drummers and a police escort, United Way employees, family members and volunteers underscored United Way’s commitment to fighting obesity June 18 by marching from United Way headquarters in downtown Fort Worth to the Tarrant County Public Health Department, There United Way President and CEO Viney P. Chandler presented checks totaling $110,000 for creative programs that will promote health and weight management.

Participants in the procession ranged from babies to older adults. Everyone wore blue shirts printed with the words “Fit Future Tarrant County.”
(More photos…)

Obesity is one of the priority issues that United Way is focusing on over the next several years. One in three Tarrant County residents is overweight. The rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are higher in Tarrant County than state and national averages, and are directly linked to excess weight.
   Heading south on Fort Worth’s Main Street toward the Tarrant  
   County Public Health Department


   For some, the walk was a family affair


Chandler gave a $39,000 check to Arlington Independent School District Deputy Superintendent Jerry McCullough. Arlington ISD will use the funds for a structured program encouraging school employees to lose weight, become more physically active and set an example for students.

Chandler presented a $71,000 check to Glenda Thompson, Tarrant County Public Health Department associate director for community and public health nursing. The money will be used to promote physical activity and good nutrition in the county through a network of community organizations.

During the check presentation ceremony, United Way and Public Health Department staff agreed to a friendly competition. A team of 25 Public Health Department employees and an equal number of United Way staff will vie to see which group can walk the most steps in a week.