Resources
Obesity and Weight Management
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Defining Obesity
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides general information on obesity and describes how the CDC is addressing prevention and treatment.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Healthy People 2030
Healthy People 2030 is a nationwide initiative led by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services that includes data-driven objectives to improve the health and well-being of all Americans by 2030.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) – Aim for a Healthy Weight
The “Aim for a Healthy Weight” campaign focuses on promoting healthy habits, increasing physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the risk of chronic disease.
The Obesity Society is the leading professional society focused on obesity science, treatment and prevention.
Guide to Community Preventive Services - Obesity
The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF), established by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, works to improve the health of communities by issuing evidence-based recommendations and findings on public health inventions designed to improve health and safety. The CPSTF has recommendations and findings for intervention approaches to prevent and control obesity.
CDC: Obesity; Early Care and Education
The CDC shares information on how to promote healthy growth and prevent obesity in Early Care and Education (ECE) settings.
Nutrition
Supported by the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Nutrition.gov serves as a gateway to reliable information on nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and food safety for general consumers.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide the U.S. population with advice on what to eat and drink to promote healthy growth and development, help prevent diet-related chronic disease and meet nutrient needs.
USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center
The Food and Nutrition Information Center provides health professionals with access to trustworthy food and nutrition resources that are congruent with the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (Farm Bill).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA's Nutrition Initiatives
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration provides information on nutrition labeling requirements for foods under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Dinner Tonight Healthy Cooking School
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Dinner Tonight program aims to provide healthy recipes for Texans and increase self-efficacy in meal planning, healthy cooking techniques, and food safety.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, offering information on nutrition and health, from meal planning and preparation to choices that can help prevent or manage chronic health conditions.
The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
The Food Research and Action Center measures the success and reach of federal nutrition programs through monthly updates, annual publications, reports, fact sheets, best practices, and data or mapping tools.
Go Texan is a Texas Department of Agriculture initiative dedicated to identifying and supporting Texas-based businesses and connecting them with customers across the Lone Star State and around the world.
Local Harvest connects people looking for good food with the farmers who produce it. Their directory lists over 40,000 family farms and family markets, along with restaurants and grocery stores that feature local and seasonal food.
Breastfeeding
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Breastfeeding Resources
The CDC shares the health benefits of breastfeeding and what they are doing to support breastfeeding best practices.
Texas Women, Infants and Children offers a comprehensive breastfeeding resource with guidance on preparation, breastfeeding practices, understanding baby behavior, and transitioning back to work.
Texas Ten Step is a designation provided by Texas Health and Human Services. The designation recognizes birthing facilities that implement policies that follow the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Program
The DSHS Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Program recognizes businesses that support employees who breastfeed their infants. Employers may quality for TMFW designation if they have a written and communicated lactation support policy that meets certain standards.
La Leche League International provides breastfeeding mothers and parents worldwide with support, education, and resources.
Physical Activity & Active Living
AARP offers free online Zumba and strength training classes. Plus, access dance classes, cooking classes, and more healthy living ideas.
Healthier Texas offers free, fitness and nutrition classes to all Texans and all fitness levels in person and online. Formats include Zumba, yoga, MixxedFit and more. Classes are available in English and Spanish.
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans provide recommendations for Americans ages three and over, including people at increased risk of chronic disease. The guidelines also offer evidence-based recommendations on how physical activity can help promote health and reduce the risk of chronic disease. The guideline’s promotional campaign, Move Your Way®, provides community resources to communicate with your audiences.
National Physical Activity Plan
The National Physical Activity Plan is a comprehensive plan of physical activity recommendations. The plan provides targeted strategies and tactics aimed at promoting physical activity.
Children and Nature Network (National)
This network supports a global movement of leaders working to reconnect children with nature and ensure that all children have equitable access to outdoor places where they can learn, play, and grow.
Texas Children and Nature Network
Their mission is to ensure equitable access and connection to nature for all children in Texas.
Active Texas 2020 is a comprehensive physical activity plan was released by UTHealth School of Public Health and the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness office in 2009. It provides guidance for Texas communities aspiring to create a local physical activity plan.
CDC: Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults with Disabilities
Discover the CDC’s resources, programs, and recommendations for adults with disabilities to support physical activity and overall well-being.
Exercise is Medicine®, a global health initiative managed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), works to make physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in clinical care. It also connects health care with evidence-based physical activity resources for people everywhere and of all abilities.
Safe Routes: National Center for Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes to School programs aim to make it safer for students to walk and bike to school and encourage more walking and biking where safety is not a barrier.
Howdy Health from Texas A&M University promotes walking programs designed to help Texans establish the habit of regular physical activity.
America Walks equips organizations and individuals from across the country with the resources needed to create more walkable, safer communities for people of all ages and abilities.
BikeTexas encourages and promotes bicycling, increased safety, and improved conditions for people who ride bikes in Texas.
Rails to Trails is working to ensure that trails connect everyone, in every neighborhood across America.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Smart Growth program provides strategies focused on development and conservation to improve daily life, protect the environment, and create more resilient, economically vibrant communities.
Texas Recreation and Park Society
The Texas Recreation and Parks Society was founded in 1937 to advance the profession of parks, recreation and leisure services in Texas.
Screen-Time
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute – Tools and Resources to Reduce Screen Time
The We Can!® national educational program has developed a variety of useful materials and information to help families and communities reduce screen time.
External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to people with disabilities.