The 100 Alabama Miles Challenge is a statewide program designed to inspire all Alabamians to kick-start an active, healthy lifestyle while exploring our beautiful state and connecting with fellow participants.

We challenge all Alabamians to walk, run, hike, bike, swim, paddle, ride or roll 100 miles each year and to do so by visiting Alabama’s many wonderful parks, nature preserves, and rivers.

It sounds like an impossible goal to many people, but if you get in just two miles each week, it’s very doable! Visit the website, 100alabamamiles.org, for more information.

On March 2, 2018, Governor Ivey signed a proclamation recognizing March as National Nutrition Month! Members of the Obesity Task Force are shown with the proclamation, below.

Miriam (Mim) Gaines, one of the founding members of the Alabama Obesity Task Force, was recently recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND) for her commitment in the field of nutrition and dietetics. This recognition celebrates her professional accomplishments and pursuit of life-long learning. Mim currently serves as the Dietetic Internship Director at Samford University, where she shares her knowledge and expertise with aspiring young dietitians.

Congratulations, Mim!

Allison Hoit Tubbs, immediate Past Chair of the Alabama Obesity Task Force, received the SHAPE America Southern District Recreation Professional of the Year 2017-2018 Award. Allison is currently the Project Coordinator for the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) at Lakeshore Foundation.

Way to go, Allison!

Scale Back Alabama (SBA) is a free statewide weight-loss program designed to encourage Alabamians to get healthy and to have fun while doing it. Since the first competition in 2007, Alabamians have lost more than one million pounds!

This year, SBA participants included Live Action Nick and Montgomery Biscuits' Mascot Big Mo, who both lost over 10 pounds during the competition!

Live Action Nick took over the newsroom at abc 33/40 with James Spann!

Click HERE to watch!

Big Mo has been working hard to achieve his weight loss goals! Click HERE to see an update from his trainer, Ashley Gardner from the YMCA!

Scale Back Alabama may be over for this year, but we'll be back in January 2019! Be on the lookout for more information!

In the meantime, check out the Scale Back Alabama App to track your calories and exercise to help keep you accountable.

Check out our website, scalebackalabama.com, and our Facebook page for weight loss tips, recipes, announcements and more!

How healthy is your community compared with other communities in Alabama? Click HERE to find out!

Increasing walkability of your community can help your area become healthier! Are you interested in promoting healthy, family-friendly, inclusive physical activity in your area? Check out this list of resources to help you get started!

• Mayor Tommy Battle’s talk at the Alabama Obesity Task Force meeting in Huntsville on August 4, 2017, on “Healthy Huntsville” efforts
  
• Alabama State Collaborative Workshop on Walkable Communities June 13, 2017 workshop presentations
  
• AARP Network of age-friendly communities and livable communities guides
  
• The Maine Guide: Building Livable, Age-Friendly Communities
• Special Analysis: How Healthy is Your Congressional District Report
• Special Issue of Preventative Medicine focusing on physical activity in public spaces around the world
• A New Tool for the Open Streets Movement
• AARP Program NeighborWalks

Thank you to the Auburn/Opelika Walkable Communities Group for sharing this list of resources with us!

The Auburn/Opelika Walkable Communities Group evolved out of the Walkability Summit that was held in Montgomery in 2017 (view the Final Report and Recommendations Report HERE, or download it using the link below).

The next Auburn/Opelika Walkable Communities Group meeting will be held Friday, April 20, 2018 at 10 am at the East Alabama Medical Center Education Center, 2027 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika, AL 36801.

Contact Kathe Briggs at kathe.briggs@eamc.org for more information.

Action for Healthy Kids is pleased to release its Parents for Healthy Kids grant opportunities for the 2018-2019 school year. These grants are for parents or parent groups to implement physical activity and nutrition initiatives.

Get the full grant details, including application process HERE. You can also view our Parents for Healthy Kids grant webinar recorded on February 22, 2018.

Be sure to visit ParentsforHealthyKids.org to learn more about how to improve health at school and at home! All applicants will be entered for a chance to win one of 5 ALDI gift cards worth $100 each for their schools.

Apply for the Parents for Healthy Kids grant to start physical activity and nutrition initiatives at your school. The deadline for submission has been extended to April 13.

The Southern Obesity Summit (SOS) is the largest regional obesity prevention event in the United States, drawing hundreds of participants from 16 Southern States consisting of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Together, these states join forces to fight obesity.

The Southern Obesity Summit will be held on October 22-24, 2018 at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, West Virginia. With a focus on Equity and Equality, this Summit will bring together leadership from across the south to share, learn and develop strategies for positive change around obesity prevention.

If you haven't already heard, the Alabama Obesity Task Force has a new home on Facebook: Sweet Healthy Alabama! Don't worry, we'll still be the Alabama Obesity Task Force! We'll just be using our tagline, "Sweet Healthy Alabama" to share our messages with the public including "Get Moving Alabama," "Rethink Your Drink," etc.

If you have news, events, or activities that you would like to share, please send the information to Lita Chatham to be included in future Obesity Task Force Newsletters.