Austin, Texas -- Texas Impact has been selected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to join a national multimillion dollar faith-based initiative to reverse the
epidemic of childhood obesity. Texas Impact’s Health and Strength and Daily Food project is one of 21 faith-based projects across the country working to prevent childhood obesity by increasing access to healthy foods and physical activity through community advocacy.

Under the national banner Faith-based Advocacy: Galvanizing Communities to End Childhood Obesity, the Foundation has awarded $4.8 million to help diverse faith groups advance policy and environmental changes designed to reduce childhood obesity. According to the Foundation, the grants recognize the growing role that
alliances of churches, mosques, synagogues and other faith groups play in addressing critical public issues, and reflect the impressive legacy of American faith communities’ work to improve social and health conditions.

“Childhood obesity represents a syndrome of concerns ranging from food access to sidewalks and outdoor education. As daily witnesses to our state’s fragmented and often narrow approach to child nutrition and wellness, Texas faith communities represent a strong, informed voice for coordinated, family-centered public policy strategies to help raise the next generation of healthy Texans,” said Bee Moorhead, Executive Director of Texas Impact.

Childhood obesity is widely acknowledged to be at epidemic proportions in Texas. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 32 percent of Texas high school students were overweight or obese in 2007, and Texas schoolchildren are consistently more likely to be obese than the national average in national surveys of
child nutrition and fitness. According to the Texas Interagency Obesity Council, if current trends continue, the annual cost of addressing weight-related health issues will exceed $15.6 billion in 2010 and over $39 billion by 2040.

Health and Strength and Daily Food will educate members of local faith communities about the causes of childhood obesity, and advocate for coordination and leveraging of state and federal resources in the areas of food, recreational sites and outdoor education. “Health and Strength and Daily Food” references the phrase “For health and strength and daily food we praise thy name oh Lord,” a well-known non-denominational table grace.

Nancy Herron of the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife said the agency welcomes the faith communities’ commitment to a holistic approach to obesity prevention
emphasizing engagement in nature. “Spending time together in nature, walking, fishing, camping, and other outdoor pursuits leads to fun, fitness and family time in an inspiring setting,” Herron said. In a time when families need strength of all kinds, we look forward to working more closely with Texas Impact and the faith community to help bring all nature has to offer.”

In carrying out its project, Texas Impact will partner with the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas through the project "Hope 2010," which is bringing together the 6000 churches of the Baptist General Convention of Texas to address poverty and hunger in Texas by supporting urban and rural poverty initiatives, border ministries, disaster relief, Christian women’s and men’s jobs corps, and other
projects.

"Communities can count on the support of our Texas churches for healthy food and activities for fitness, through this partnership and in coordination with Texas Hope 2010," said Suzii Paynter, Director of the Christian Life Commission.

"For Texas students, learning about nature, being responsible stewards of the environment, and mastering life-long health habits are all important for our future," said Senator Eliot Shapleigh. "We applaud Texas Impact and the Christian Life Commission for taking action now."

Texas Impact was established in 1973 to be a voice of religious social concern in the public policy process. As a statewide religious grassroots network, Texas Impact’s
members include thousands of individuals, congregations, and governing bodies of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths. The Christian Life Commission (CLC) has served as the ethics agency of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, since 1950. The CLC has the assignment of speaking to, but not for, churches and individuals about important ethical issues.

For more information contact:
Rob Borowski
512/851-6995
rob@texasimpact.org