Finding the right activity for your child is important

You hear it time and time again – Texas is battling a growing obesity crisis. This is a fact most of us understand.

Similarly, most of us know what foods are nutritious and which aren’t. But many parents may not know what types of physical activities their children should participate in and how often.

This article does a great job outlining doctor-approved guidelines for keeping your children active. I encourage parents to take a look and try to incorporate some of these fun activities into their kids’ daily routines.

Remember, it takes more than just eating healthy to live a healthy life. It takes the 3E’s – Education, Exercise and Eating Right – to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Obesity Awareness Week: Genetics Not Solely To Blame for Obesity

The Texas Department of Agriculture's Chief Nutrition Coordinator, Paige Abernathy, will be guest blogging throughout Texas Obesity Awareness Week. Read her blog to find out interesting obesity facts, and tips on losing weight.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that genetics can play a role in obesity; however, behavior can also affect a person's weight. It appears that having a certain combination of genes may make an individual more susceptible to being overweight or obese, and outside factors such as low levels of physical activity and an abundant food supply are required for the issue to be expressed.

Genetics do not control individual behavior. For more information on genetics and obesity visit the CDC Web site.

Obesity Awareness Week: The Impact of Environment

The Texas Department of Agriculture's Chief Nutrition Coordinator, Paige Abernathy, will be guest blogging throughout Texas Obesity Awareness Week. Read her blog to find out interesting obesity facts, and tips on losing weight.

The environment you live in can make balancing your energy and diet easier or more difficult.

Things to look for to improve the balance between eating and exercising: sidewalks and streetlights that make walking in your neighborhood safer; grocery stores within walking or biking distance; worksite fitness facilities; restaurants that serve reasonable portion sizes; and schools that limit unhealthy choices. Request and support local policy that creates these types of environments.

For information on the nutrition standards for Texas schools visit the Healthy Living section of www.TexasAgriculture.gov.

Obesity Awareness Week: Energy Imbalance

The Texas Department of Agriculture's Chief Nutrition Coordinator, Paige Abernathy, will be guest blogging throughout Texas Obesity Awareness Week. Read her blog to find out interesting obesity facts, and tips on losing weight.

An energy imbalance is simply consuming more calories than you expend through daily activity. To prevent obesity, you should be more physically active and monitor portions and calories.

If you eat more than usual one day, don’t forget to get in some extra exercise. It’s a balancing act that will pay off in the end. Try to keep your portion size down, and your exercise level up.

For individual nutrition recommendations and tips for the whole family visit www.MyPyramid.gov.

Reminding Parents and Kids to Start the Day with School Breakfast

Yolanda Reyes - Vice Principal, Janice Weston - Principal,Trina Linder - Cafeteria Manager, Yvonne Seiders - Asst. Director of Food Services

It’s National School Breakfast Week, and today I continued my campaign to remind children all across the great state of Texas about the importance of starting their day with a healthy, nutritious breakfast and the role of our dedicated farmers and ranchers.

I talked with Joe Bickett of FOX 7 News live from Lucy Reed Pre-Kindergarten School to showcase the quality meals that are available all across Texas. Every day in our state, over one million students participate in the national School Breakfast Program. But, we can do more to win the war on child obesity.

Parents and students must always remember that good grades start with good nutrition

You can watch my interview here:

Power Up with School Breakfast Public Service Announcement

As Texas Agriculture Commissioner, I have made it my focus to encourage Texas children to adopt the 3 E’s of Healthy Living – Education, Exercise and Eating Right. This simple concept will not only help children feel better and live longer, but will also assist us in battling a growing childhood obesity problem in our state.


I recently worked with C.D. Fulkes Middle School students in Round Rock to create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that talks about the advantages of eating a healthy breakfast at school. The PSA, which is currently running on TV stations statewide, is really fun and features animated characters, Mr. Breakfast and YoGurl. You can watch the PSA here.

What the Economic Stimulus Means to Texas

Whether you are in favor of the federal stimulus package or against it, Congress has acted and President Obama has signed the economic stimulus bill into law.

As a result, Texas is poised to receive more than $16 million for the Texas Department of Agriculture’s nutrition and food distribution programs. Just over $8 million will help schools across Texas buy better cooking equipment, enabling them to prepare healthier meals, and to purchase additional refrigeration to hold more fresh produce, in turn helping TDA with its mission to curb childhood obesity.

Another $8 million or so will go to the Texas Commodity Assistance Program – a critical program that provides USDA commodities, such as fruits and vegetables, to underprivileged individuals through food banks and other emergency food services. This relief is coming at a time when food banks are seeing a heavier demand than usual.

The bottom line is the Texas economy is in much better shape than that of most states in the U.S. Still, no Texan is immune to the challenges our economy faces. That’s why TDA is working with agribusinesses, producers, lawmakers and other stakeholders to ensure the Texas agriculture industry is doing its part to keep Texas’ economy strong.

Good Practices for Fruits and Veggies

I think it is very fitting the Texas Department of Agriculture serves as the administrator for our state's school lunch and breakfast programs. There’s no better place than the agency that works with and promotes the best interests of our state’s farmers and ranchers who produce high-quality, nutritious, life-sustaining foods that we all too often take for granted.

I was particularly encouraged by two elementary schools, O.A. Peterson in Fort Worth and Sendera Ranch in Haslet, that are working with food service provider Aramark to creatively encourage students to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Their story was featured in the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.

What really caught my attention in the story was these quotes from Michelle DoPorto, a mom at Sendera Ranch Elementary, describing how the school’s efforts had enthusiastically made her 7-year-old son, Trey, make some unique choices.

“He came home and said: ‘Mom, I had an apple. I got some broccoli,’” DoPorto said. “He is very particular about what he eats. There’s something about hearing it from a doctor or a teacher. It just seems more meaningful than when Mom and Dad say it.”

And it just can’t be said any better. We all need to give a big thanks to Texas teachers and doctors who not only recognize the importance of healthy choices, but who take the time and energy to steer our children in the right direction to live long, healthy lives.

Click here to find out more about TDA’s efforts in encouraging children to adopt the 3Es of Healthy Living – Education, Exercise and Eating Right.