FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2015

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RECOGNIZES LEGISLATURE’S “BIGGEST LOSER” COMPETITION

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health today recognized the start of the Capitol’s annual “Biggest Loser” competition, hosted this year by Senate Health Policy Committee Chair Aaron Bean, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Chair Rene Garcia, House Health and Human Services Committee Chair Jason Brodeur and House Health Care Appropriations Committee Chair Speaker Pro Tempore Matt Hudson. The competition encourages healthy weight choices throughout the legislative session and is open to all members of the legislature, Capitol staff and agency employees.

“The ‘Biggest Loser’ competition is a great opportunity to show Floridian’s how weight loss is more achievable when you make it a team effort,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “I want to thank Chairs Bean, Brodeur, Garcia and Speaker Pro Tempore Hudson for their leadership to promote healthy weight during the 2015 Florida Legislative Session.”

Competitions like the Capitol’s “Biggest Loser” program are innovative by shaping workspace environments for healthier choices. The Department of Health has launched Healthiest Weight Florida, a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, not-for-profit organizations, businesses and entire communities to help Florida's children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living. Learn more about the Healthiest Weight Florida initiative at www.HealthiestWeightFL.com.

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.

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