Leaders of the Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) came to Fall River on October 23, 2015 to present a summary of the Act FRESH Campaign and to provide a forum for Partners to present its approach to reducing obesity. MPHA Field Director Andrea Freeman and Coalition and Field Organizer Kristina St. Cyr opened the meeting by highlighting the legislative agenda that this year includes the Massachusetts Food Trust, Mass in Motion, the Complete Streets Certification Program and joint-use legislation to promote physical activity in schools during non-school hours. The meeting then turned to Partners Executive Director Dr. David Weed and Southcoast Health Registered Dietitian Amanda Raposo who described their approach to weight loss and the prevention and treatment of diabetes. "We think the current recommendations to lower dietary fats and include high amounts of carbohydrates is what helped to cause the obesity epidemic rather than to reduce it," stated Weed. "We now recommend whole foods with natural fats through our guidelines, a 20-minute video on the subject, and efforts to reduce sugar-sweetened beverages ," he added. Ms. Raposo followed up with a summary of how she successfully treats her patients in the Southcoast Diabetes Management Program. Click here for a one-hour video of their presentation. Click here for Dr. Weed's presentation PowerPoint slides and here for Ms. Raposo's. For more information about MPHA, contact Andrea Freeman at 978-895-0960.