Mayor Betsy Price today announced the number of Forth Worth Independent School District children involved in the FitWorth Healthy City Initiative’s eight-week “FitWorthKids” team competition to track physical activity and healthy eating now totals 26,800. The total signed up for the eight-week competition for 3rd to 8th graders far exceeds the goal of 5,000 participants.
The teams with the most physical activity and healthy eating tracked will win new PE equipment for their schools.
FitWorth, the city-wide, grassroots initiative to address childhood obesity and encourage the health of Fort Worth families, was launched in September. The movement intends to unite community partners, promote existing resources, and create opportunities for families in the Fort Worth community to increase their physical activity and improve nutrition. Initial funding has been provided by Oncor.
“We are thrilled with the early impact this program is having,” said Mayor Price. “We know that kids who eat right and stay active do better in school and don’t get sick as often. Through this FitWorthKids competition, we are raising awareness about healthy choices and healthy activities to accomplish that goal.”
Mayor Price launched the FitWorth effort at the annual Trinity Trot/C.A.L.F. run held Saturday, Sept. 15 at LaGrave Field. More than 1,000 runners ran the 5K/1 mile run/walk, the warm-up for the February 23, 2013 Cowtown Kids 5K, part of the annual Cowtown Marathon weekend.
Last year’s Fort Worth Independent School District FitnessGram statistics show more than 50 percent of Fort Worth ISD children are overweight. Childhood obesity is contributing to an increasing number of children developing Type 2 diabetes and other long-term physical effects.
FitWorth Advisory Committee includes representatives from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Cook Children’s Healthcare Network, Cowtown Marathon, Fort Worth City Council, Fort Worth Independent School District, Oncor and UNT Health Science Center.
About FitWorth Healthy City Initiative:
FitWorth is a family-focused initiative of Mayor Betsy Price and the Fort Worth City Council launched in September 2012 to address the growing trend of childhood obesity in the city. In 2014, FitWorth became an independent program of Foundation for Wellness, Texas, tasked with promoting health and active lifestyles through an individualized and sustainable approach to community wellness.