Arlington County Board Member J. Walter Tejada and his work on 'Fitness Arlington' was included in an article on childhood obesity in the Washington Post. "Although the obesity epidemic costs Virginia, Maryland and the District $3 billion annually, localities in the region have few programs designed to help obese children, a group of health directors and other officials were told recently." (See earlier post on 'Fitness Arlington'.)
Tejada is "launching a countywide program called 'Fitness Arlington' next year that he hopes will be a selling point to employers eyeing vacant office space in Crystal City. That area will be hard hit with the coming loss of 17,000 defense and contracting jobs recommended by the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission."
Tejada also said "it is in localities' best interests to promote healthy lifestyles, given rising health-care costs. Employers often look at obesity rates in states where they're looking to relocate. "It's a big deal, and we have to get involved," Tejada said.
NOTE: You are invited to attend the Fit Arlington Cafe, a community-wide dialogue on how to inspire fitness, with County Board Member Walter Tejada and Arlington Schools Board Member Ed Fendley on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th Street South). To RSVP, email ELegg@arlingtonva.us. If you have any questions, contact Laura Lazour at (703) 228-3324. Healthy refreshments will be served.
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