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Doctors for Change

Rebuilding a Healthier Houston Together

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Healthy Eating & Active Living

Committee Leaders:
Lauren Krenek
Ana C. Monterrey

To learn more or contribute, please contact the committee leader(s) via email:

Contact Leader(s)

Unacceptable Reality

Obesity is increasingly common in the Houston area and is due to multiple factors, including lack of access to good nutrition or safe spaces for physical activity. Obesity can lead to many health complications, including heart disease, fatty liver, and diabetes.

Obesity in Houston, TX

  • 1/3 of adults are obese and 3/4 of adults are overweight or obese in Harris County.
  • 20% of Houston high school students are obese, and 18% are overweight.
  • Other studies estimate 50% of youth are overweight and obese in Houston.
  • The average rates of obesity in high school students are 18% in Texas and 15% in the US.
  • The food insecurity rate in Houston is 16% total and 23% for children. The national averages are 13% total and 18% for children.
  • In 2005, obese adults cost Texas businesses $3.3 billion per year. Today’s obese children are estimated to triple the current adult obesity rate in Texas by 2040, and obesity-related expenses are projected to skyrocket.

Can we reverse this trend? Absolutely. Other states are making progress and DFC believes that Texas can reverse this dangerous and costly trend by implementing evidence-based policy changes!

Our Work in Preventing Obesity and Promoting Wellness

DFC believes that Houston and Texas can reverse this dangerous and costly trend by implementing evidence-based policy changes. Obesity prevention is a cost-effective way to increase survival rates, productivity, and quality of life.

We collaborate with other community organizations to advocate for the health of Texans and fight obesity. We seek to form partnerships between health professionals and other groups to share resources and knowledge.

Each year, we celebrate healthy lifestyles through a Youth Art and Creative Writing Competition. We hope that this competition will foster increased awareness on how important a healthy lifestyle is to our children!

We are also working to compile or create educational content that could be accessed by providers or the public focused on healthy nutrition and activity.

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