Summit Prevention Alliance champions two programs that work to reduce obesity in Colorado:
LiveWell Colorado
LiveWell Colorado is a statewide initiative aimed at reducing overweight and obesity rates and related chronic diseases in Colorado. A partnership among foundations, health care organizations, non-profit organizations and state and local public health agencies, LiveWell Colorado works with communities to promote healthy eating and active living through policies, programs and environmental changes.
We are excited to be working on our LiveWell Colorado initiative again in 2008. Here are some great things that will be going on in Summit County this year:
Coalition-Building Activities
- engaging new partners in the Physical Activity and Nutrition Team of the Summit (PANTS)
School Wellness
- supporting school health teams as they implement policies and programs to support wellness
- developing a Safe Routes to School plan for the 2008 - 2009 school year
Worksite Wellness
- recruiting and assisting a minimum of five worksites to develop worksite wellness programs
- providing technical assistance to other worksites in Summit County
- assisting a minimum of five worksites in Summit County to develop breastfeeding-friendly policies
Health Care
- providing training about the adult obesity guidelines as needed
Breastfeeding
- supporting the local hospital as they apply to become a Baby Friendly Hospital
- developing and implementing a media campaign during World Breastfeeding Week
- preparing breastfeeding gift bags for new moms who give birth in Summit County
Active Community Environments
- holding an active community environments training for local decision-makers
- supporting Summit County Open Spaces and Trails Department as they work on local trail improvements
Healthy Food Choices
- recruiting six restaurants to participate in the Smart Meal Seal program
- assisting the Town of Silverthorne with the development of a community garden
If you have any questions about the above activities, please call Elyse Jones or Susan Cox at (970) 668-2077. You can also reach them at elyse@summitpreventionalliance.org or susan@summitpreventionalliance.org.
La Vida Sana – The Healthy Life
La Vida Sana, founded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, addresses the issue of cardiovascular disease including diabetes among the Latino population in Summit County. La Vida Sana is promoting health and reducing chronic disease associated with diet and weight among Latinos with the following programs and initiatives:
Latinas en Movimiento
Summit Prevention Alliance and the Care Clinic implemented an exercise and nutrition program for Latinas preventing and treating heart disease, diabetes and obesity in Summit County. This weekly group is co-coordinated by three native Spanish speakers.
The group is held at Silverthorne Recreation Center and Breckenridge Recreation Center. Some of the activities included are nutritional and physical activity pointers and tips, blood pressures and weigh-in, warm-up, exercise and stretching, education and nutrition, goal setting, and healthy cooking classes.
Cooking Demonstrations
La Vida Sana is providing cooking demonstrations and lessons on nutritional meals and snacks to Latino women through monthly cooking lessons.
Education and Presentations
La Vida Sana implemented an educational campaign targeting the Latino community and addressing cardiovascular disease and diabetes and the importance of physical activity and nutrition. The campaign is implemented through a variety of programs which include the following:
- Weekly nutrition program for women
- Health articles in the Spanish language newspaper La Tribuna
- Presentations in different Latino groups throughout the community
- Nutritional discussions for High Country Soccer Association’s groups
- Educational materials at different events
- Diabetes talks at the Summit County Care Clinic
- Nutrition and physical activity segment in Spanish radio show
- Bilingual cooking shows on SCTV10
School Mini-grants
La Vida Sana is supporting the Summit County School District with grants for nutrition and physical activity projects.
Sports Participation
La Vida Sana is teaching kids to swim and helping to increase the participation of Latino children, youth, and adults in the soccer programs of High Country Soccer Association.
For any questions about La Vida Sana, please contact Liliana at liliana@summitpreventionalliance.org or (970) 668-2077.