SANFORD, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County (DOH-Seminole) is recognizing the City of Oviedo and the City of Sanford as Healthy Weight Community Champions. These municipalities have implemented “best practices” to promote wellness, physical activity and improve nutrition in their jurisdiction.

The City of Sanford and City of Oviedo will be recognized during the 3rd annual Live, Work, Move Seminole 5K & Kid’s Dash event on Sunday, April 9th, 2017 in the City of Oviedo for playing an important role in promoting healthy living in their jurisdictions.

“We are very excited to know that the City of Oviedo and the City of Sanford are among the 98 communities being recognized by the Florida Department of Health as Healthiest Weight Community Champions. It is an honor to recognize these two great partners in health from Seminole County again this year ,” said Donna Walsh, health officer for the Department of Health in Seminole County. “The commitment and tireless efforts to improve the community’s health is evident in the many projects and initiatives taking place in these cities.”

Local governments were invited to submit best practice policies they implemented to promote physical activity and improve nutrition in their communities. Some of these “best practices” include: creating wellness and fitness centers; building more walkable communities to include more sidewalks and fitness trails; and providing more nutritious foods in vending machines and at farmers’ markets.

The Community Champions program is part of the Department’s Healthiest Weight Florida initiative. Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, local governments, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations and entire communities to help Florida’s children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living. To learn more about Healthiest Weight Florida, please visit www.HealthiestWeightFL.com.

A list of the Champion Communities and best practices can be found online at: www.HealthiestWeightFL.com.

For more information on the Live, Work, Move Seminole 5K Run/Walk in Oviedo where the Community Champions will be recognized please visit www.seminolecohealth.com.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.