"South Carolina has the fourth-worst rate of obesity in the nation, with more than 60 percent of the adult population either overweight or obese," said Erika Kirby, director of DHEC’s Division of Obesity Prevention and Control. "Overweight and obesity threaten the quality of life for South Carolinians of all ages, races and socioeconomic backgrounds."

Kirby said the conference, which will be held start at 9 a.m. at Saluda Shoals in Columbia, will highlight promising environmental and policy-based strategies for addressing obesity on the national, state and local level.

"Although there is still much work to be done, South Carolina’s communities, schools, faith-based organizations and worksites are having tremendous success with implementing policies and environmental strategies supportive of improving nutrition and increasing physical activity," Kirby said.

According to Kirby, a few examples of such successful policies and environmental strategies implemented in the state include:

Act 102, known as the Student Health and Fitness Act, which establishes minimum time requirements for physical activity, physical education and nutrition standards for grades K-5.

The S.C. Recreation and Parks Association established healthy food guidelines for all vending venues across the state.

In Spartanburg, the Rails to Trails conversion opened as part of the Hub City Connector section of the Palmetto Trail.

Act 269, which protects a woman’s right to breastfeed in public.

The WIC and Senior Voucher Farmer’s Market EBT program has been piloted and continues to expand.

For more information about obesity prevention in South Carolina, visit http://www.sccope.org.