Keeping Kids Moving; How the Federal Transportation Bill Can Help Stop Childhood Obesity

WASHINGTON, July 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the federal transportation authorization bill up for renewal, this national roundtable brings together national and local leaders to discuss promising ways transportation policy can help promote active lifestyles and decrease obesity rates, especially among poor children and children of color.

WHAT:  A national roundtable to explore the vital connections between transportation policy and childhood obesity in America.

WHERE:  The National Press Club

529 14th Street Northwest

Washington, DC 20045

WHEN:  Thursday, July 15, 2010

9:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

SPONSORS:  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity

Transportation for America Equity Caucus

The Convergence Partnership

PolicyLink

WHO:  The Federal Perspective

9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Martha Coven     Domestic Policy Council, Special Assistant to the President for Mobility and Opportunity

Dr. Howard Koh     United States Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Health

Roy Kienitz     United States Department of Transportation, Under Secretary for Policy

Voices from the Field

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

Chip Johnson     Mayor, Hernando Mississippi

In a town of fewer than 7,000 people, Mayor Chip Johnson has helped create farmers' markets, community gardens, youth sports leagues, and new walking paths and sidewalks. He is also a spokesperson for community health and quality of life initiatives, especially those that can be undertaken by local governments.

Julia Lopez     Youth Advocate, The Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program

Fourteen-year-old Julia Lopez has been a prominent voice across the country addressing the link between transportation and health. She has met with many local, state, and federal policymakers to advocate for equitable transportation policies.

Adetokunbo Omishakin     Director of Healthy Living Initiatives at Office of the Mayor, Nashville, Tennessee

Guiding Nashville's active living and healthy eating efforts, Adetokunbo Omishakin serves as the Mayor's liaison to the Healthy Nashville Leadership Council and Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Nashville is a national leader in bicycle and pedestrian policy, adopting complete streets policies and developing new bike lanes and sidewalks.

Barbara Stiffarm     Executive Director, Opportunity Link

In 2007, Barbara Stiffarm and Opportunity Link helped establish four new rural transit systems and expanded an existing system throughout Montana's rural and Indian communities.

For more information on the sponsors, please visit:

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity www.reversechildhoodobesity.org

Transportation for America Equity Caucus www.t4america.org

The Convergence Partnership www.convergencepartnership.org

PolicyLink www.policylink.org

SOURCE PolicyLink