A new initiative from researchers at the University of Houston will bring scientists and community members in collaboration against obesity. The Science and Community: Ending Obesity Improving Health project, from the department of health and human performance, is a long-term effort to reduce obesity in the Latino and African American populations in Houston, particularly among women and children.
The effort begins with an "opportunity reception" for researchers and community members to discuss the challenge of reducing obesity and ways to promote healthy and lasting change. The meeting will take place from 5:30 -7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 13 at the UH M.D. Anderson Library, Rockwell Pavilion, 2nd floor. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
"We'll hold three opportunity receptions, the first with members of Houston's African American communities, organizations and other stakeholders," said Rebecca Lee, associate professor and director of the Understanding Neighborhood Determinants of Obesity (UNDO) research team, which will lead the project. "We're hopeful that all those who feel the urgency of combating obesity will come to our meeting."
During the opportunity receptions, participants will share ideas about physical activity, dietary habits and obesity in Houston and ways to collaborate to solve the burden of obesity. The information will be compiled into a strategic partnership plan for Houston's African American and Hispanic or Latino communities to test community-based strategies to reduce and prevent obesity.
The project is funded by a three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health and will use resources from the UH Texas Obesity Research Center and other partners.
Subsequent meetings will be held with members of Houston's Latino community on Aug. 16 and all community partners on Sept. 7.
For more information, call the UNDO office at 713-743-1183 or ScienceAndCommunity@yahoo.com
WHAT: UH Science and Community Opportunity Reception
WHEN: 5:30- 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 13
WHERE: UH M.D. Anderson Library, Rockwell Pavilion, 2nd floor
For directions and parking information, visit http://www.uh.edu/campus_map/buildings/L.php
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