KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - The King County Board of Health today formally endorsed a resolution to address the increasing problem of obesity in King County. Resolution 07-03 supports the work of the Overweight Prevention Initiative, and provides specific recommendations on how to prioritize public health dollars to prevent obesity. The resolution is a key step in advancing policies to promote healthy eating and active living in King County.

“Passing this resolution is a clear indication of the Board of Health’s commitment to promoting healthy eating and active living,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson, Chair of the Board of Health. “By taking decisive action on these strategies and considering legislation on trans fats and menu labeling, we are making progress toward decreasing the number of King County residents that are overweight.”

“Our obesity epidemic has multiple causes and so will require a multi-faceted solution,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “We appreciate the leadership shown by the Board of Health in passing this resolution to help start taking some of the important first steps."

Through the new resolution, the Board will raise awareness and advocate for evidence-based policies and programs to address obesity. Specifically, the Board would support school-based nutrition and physical activity programs, breastfeeding, access to parks and recreation, and active transportation.

"Transportation choices and health are linked. We know that better air quality and increased physical activity can lead to improved health. The City of Seattle has a strong record of promoting walking and biking,” said Board Member and Seattle City Councilmember Richard Conlin. “The Board of Health is urging all King County cities to prepare and implement pedestrian and bicycle master plans and to take other steps to promote active transportation."

Over the last two years, hundreds of community members and professionals participated in work groups and forums and provided input on the obesity prevention strategies included in the resolution.

"This is a very important resolution designed to address the problem of increasing obesity among our children in schools, to prevent them from becoming overweight adults,” said Board Member George Counts, MD. “Causes are multifactorial and we must have broad strategies for this important public health priority, such as described in the resolution."

King County has high rates of obesity:

• More than half of King County adults (54%) were overweight or obese in 2004. In 1987, 37% of the population was overweight or obese.
• Obesity and overweight rates are highest in south King County and among certain ethnic groups, such as African Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives.

The King County Overweight Prevention Initiative is sponsored by the King County Board of Health, the University of Washington Exploratory Center for Obesity Research and Center for Public Health Nutrition, and Public Health - Seattle & King County. Over 100 local participants have been meeting since 2004 to identify community strategies and work together to make healthy lifestyles easier to attain communities throughout King County.

More information on this Initiative can be found at: www.metrokc.gov/health/overweight

The King County Board of Health sets county-wide public health policy, enacts and enforces local public health regulations, and carries out other duties of local boards of health specified in state law. These duties include enforcing state public health statutes, preventing and controlling the spread of infectious disease, abating nuisances, and establishing fee schedules for licenses, permits and other services.

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