Tennessee Obesity Taskforce & American Heart Association "Day on the Hill"

On Wednesday, March 13th, the Tennessee Obesity Taskforce and the American Heart Association of Tennessee teamed up for a "Day on the Hill." Advocates and members of both organizations converged on the Legislative Plaza in Tennessee's state capitol to lobby for increased legislation that will help alleviate the obesity epidemic in Tennessee.

Throughout the day's events, Tennessee Obesity Taskforce and American Heart Association members advocated for greater governmental support of the following:

1. Coordinated School Health
• Program that encourages healthy lifestyles, helps reduce the prevalence of health problems, supports at-risk students, and increases academic excellence for Tennessee students
• Has been recognized by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) as a national model of excellence
2. Food Deserts
• Nearly one million Tennesseans live in communities with little or no access to fresh, healthy foods
• Funding needed to reduce the size of these areas, while creating jobs and revenue for these communities
3. Community Gardens
• Students who receive nutrition education along with a garden experience increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables
• Gardens enhance community access to fresh fruit and vegetables in food deserts
4. Physical Activity/Physical Education
• One-third of Tennessee students are overweight or obese
• School-based physical activity can improve grades, standardized test scores, cognitive skills, concentration, and attention
• Policy changes needed to increase opportunities for physical activity and enhanced physical education in all school systems

One of the day's highlights included a walk through downtown Nashville, demonstrating the challenges that urban dwellers face when trying to find fresh food options. This became known as a "food desert walk" and was led by Representative Craig Fitzhugh.

Advocates had one-on-one meetings with their Senators and Representatives and attended meetings of the Senate Committee on Governmental Operations, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and the House Health Committee.

TN: Get Up & Go! creator Madison Hardy with Senator Thelma Harper & Mountain Lakes' OT, Alex Wallace

Tennessee: Get Up & Go! creator, Madison Hardy, had the opportunity to address one of the committee meetings, giving a brief explanation of the initiative and who she was representing that day.

Attendees also passed out heart-healthy lunches to the offices of Tennessee Senators, while advocating for legislation supporting greater access to fresh foods for all Tennesseans.