Obesity Prevention

SMART DINING IN THE DISTRICT
The Central Connecticut Health District (CCHD) has implemented Smart Dining in the District, a community level policy change intervention involving all Class IV restaurants in our four towns of Berlin, Newington, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield incorporating healthy cooking techniques and healthy eating options into regular restaurant practice.

Combining components from the Healthy Hearts certification program devised by Eastern Highlands Health District and Ontario’s Eat Smart!, CCHD launched Smart Dining in the District. The CCHD established a voluntary policy and standards that restaurants can adhere to and for which they will receive acknowledgement and support for offering the following: healthy food options, the increased utilization of local fruits and vegetables, disclosure of calorie content of menu items, and disclosure of fat content and omitting trans-fat in food preparation techniques. The primary target population is children ages 8 to 18 and their families.  Currently, we have 27 participating restaurants.

WETHERSFIELD HERITAGE TRAIL ASSESSMENT
CCHD and The Parks and Recreation Department for the Town of Wethersfield conducted a walkability and bikability assessment of the newly created Heritage Trail system using the United States Department of Transportation’s Walkability and Bikeability Checklist. This assessment was conducted by a CCHD Intern, Jessica McMullin, from the University of Connecticut’s Master of Public Health Program. Several parts of the Heritage Trail were identified for the assessment including Mill Woods Park, Wintergreen Woods, Historic Wethersfield and the Cove area of Wethersfield. The assessment looked at terrain, level of difficulty, accessibility, points of interest, parking, and general conditions of the trails.

The goal of this initiative was to educate and promote the town’s Heritage Trail as a safe and fun place for residents and neighboring towns to exercise and stay active with their families.

Upon completion of the assessment, a guide was developed and distributed to Wethersfield residents and others who attended the First Annual Heritage Trail Day on April 25, 2009. This guide has maps of the entire Heritage Trail as well as segments of the trail mentioned above.  Click on the Wethersfield Heritage Trail Guidebook link to the right to view or print the guidebook.