“The constant bombardment of advertisements with quick-fix diets and weight-loss supplements has made it difficult for thousands of Collier County residents to see weight as a positive idea,” says the Director of Florida Department of Health at Collier County, Dr. Joan M. Colfer. The recently launched Healthiest Weight Florida initiative, led by Florida Department of Health Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong, is improving perceptions of this important issue by encouraging Floridians to discover their “healthiest weight”.

The initiative’s website provides a multitude of resources and tools for adults and children that encourage making healthier choices regarding nutrition and activities. The bottom of the website’s home page contains two highly useful reports—one outlining the cost of obesity, produced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the other produced by the Institute of Medicine, detailing recommendations for a comprehensive approach to reduce the obesity epidemic.

“Please share this site with family, friends and colleagues so that, together, we can make an impact on this serious public health issue,” advises Colfer, who notes that Collier County is healthier than the state of Florida. However, overweight and obesity levels account for one out of every six deaths in the county.

For more information, visit HealthiestWeightFlorida.org.