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Buffalo, NY – A partnership of community members and local organizations celebrated their work in the fight against childhood obesity in Buffalo Tuesday night.
The Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities initiative of Buffalo unveiled its work in the battle against childhood obesity and unhealthy living.
HKHC is a national program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Across the country, only 50 cities have been chosen to receive this funding.
Here in Buffalo, the initiative is led by the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, along with other organizations and community members.
Jessie Hersher is the Project Coordinator for HKHC in Buffalo. She says they're assessing how the environment accommodates healthy eating and active living. Hersher said one of their best aids in the effort has been the help of young people.
"We had a lot of youth participation. They went out into the community with cameras and documented what about the community makes them healthy and what about the community makes it difficult for them to be health," said Hersher.
At the celebratory event Tuesday evening, the photos taken by high school students were put on display. Some documented positive images like well-maintained bike lanes and tree-lined streets; while others showed doors to groceries that had fruit on display as you walked in.
But not all the photos, however, were of good things.
"In one store they took a picture from the front door that showed this huge, colorful display of chips and candy," said Hersher.
Hersher says the partnership behind the initiative aims to use their results to change the city's long-term planning for a healthier future.
