Texas
Nearly 27 million people call the state of Texas home, making it the second largest and most populous state in the U.S. Over its more than 260,000 square miles,* Texas landscapes flow from arid deserts to prairies, forests, and a rich coastline that feeds into the Gulf of Mexico.
Despite the state’s scenic landscapes, it bears a less flattering attribute: Texas is the most obese state in the U.S. for children. More than 1 in 3 children and adolescents in Texas is obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems.
Additionally, the significant racial and ethnic disparities that exist in obesity prevalence among U.S. children are pronounced in Texas’s diverse communities: Nearly 39 percent of the state’s residents are Hispanic or Latino.*
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, thanks to support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is working with communities throughout the state to make it easier for kids to lead healthier lives.
*Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Our Work in Texas
In Texas, we’re making it easier for kids to develop healthy habits.
More than 2,900 schools serving almost 2.2 million students across the state have joined Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, creating healthier school environments for children to thrive. Since 2007, 278 Texas schools have been recognized with National Healthy Schools Awards for their outstanding efforts.
We’ve also made it easier for over 30,000 youth in 223 out-of-school time programs to eat right and move more through our Healthy Out-of-School Time Initiative.
Success Stories
Hear from school champions from just three of the many schools we work with in Texas: James Bowie Elementary School, enrolled in the Healthy Schools Program since 2010; Margaret B. Henderson Elementary School, enrolled since 2009; and Edward Titche Elementary School, enrolled since 2011.
