The Duval County Health Department sees obesity as the biggest threat to having a vibrant and healthy community.Being overweight can lead to diseases like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Duval County Health Department Director Kelli Wells said two-thirds of the adults in Jacksonville are either obese or overweight. She says the numbers are climbing and children are also in danger.
"We've got to address this and so we're moving we're putting initiatives in place to try and raise awareness and get folks moving more and more interested in eating healthier and living healthier lifestyles," she said.
"With kids it's much more important because it becomes about prevention. Literally not just prevention of obesity but prevention of chronic disease."
Wells and other city and education officials are urging area parents and their children to participate in the “Let’s Move Jacksonville” event and festival Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at A. Phillip Randolph Park.
Organizers are striving to make Jacksonville one of the top ten cities nationwide for a healthy lifestyle.
Currently Jacksonville ranks 37th out of the 50 largest cities in the country.
You can follow Kevin Meerschaert on Twitter @KMeerschaertJax.
