Public Health Funding for Shape Up Initiative

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) was awarded funding from the Center for Disease Control and prevention to make environmental and policy changes to improve the health of Washington’s people. WA State is using this funding to build and support environments that make it easier for Washington State residents to choose healthy foods and be physically active.

Washington State has a Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan that aims to increase the proportion of Washington State residents:

• Whose diets reflect the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Who get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on five or more days a week.

The Kittitas County Public Health Department has developed the Shape Up Initiative to address the goals set out in Washington State’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan and is currently funded by a WA State DOH Healthy Communities grant. Shape Up is involved in a range of activities to increase physical activity and improve nutrition among Kittitas County residents, including:

• Educating current and incoming elected officials, policy makers and planning commission members on the importance of planning a community that is walkable and bikeable.
• Working with all school districts in Kittitas County to evaluate their activity and nutrition plans.
• Sponsoring and helping promote local activities focused on healthy eating and being active.
• Working to have "health" specifically mentioned in all relevant policies and community comprehensive plans in Kittitas County.
• Assisting local childcare centers to improve childcare/preschool food and activity environments.
• Working with local grocery stores and food establishments to increase customer access to healthy food choices.