DETROIT — After kicking off its new initiative to fight what’s being called an “obesity epidemic” earlier this year at Fordson High School in Dearborn, the Wayne County NEW ME program will hold its first-ever Multicultural Obesity Conference from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13 at Ford Field, the state-of-the-art football stadium in downtown Detroit. 

About one-third of Wayne County residents are obese according to recent statistics and Michigan is the eighth-highest ranked state in terms of elevated obesity levels nationwide. 

The conference is designed to increase awareness of the risks of obesity in a multicultural community and engage key community stakeholders in activities that will lead to prevention and control.

 Health care professionals, community leaders, educators, legislators, policy makers, members of the faith-based community and college students are urged to attend. The event is open to the public.

Topics include obesity as a public health issue, strategies to prevent obesity, physician management of obesity, urban gardening, health disparities of obesity and more. 

 Lunch will include metro Detroit area resident Ron Morelli, a finalist from NBC’s “The Biggest loser” weight loss reality TV show. He and his 18-year-old son Mike made it to the final four of the show during the seventh season and lost 400 pounds combined. 

Detroit chef Rudy Hendrix from Lady Louisa’s Place restaurant in Detroit will share healthy menu recipes and provide samples of nutritious and delicious menu options for families to prepare. 

A faith-based panel discussion, “Care for the Body of Believers,” will focus on the faith-based perspective of physical activity, good nutrition and care of the body, and there will also be a vendor area featuring health-related services, exhibits, products and information.

The conference fee is $105. Stipends and scholarships are available to encourage the involvement and participation of parents, students and other community representatives.

 To register for the conference, call Katrina Palmer at 734.785.7705, ext 7560, or email kpalmer@vceonline.org. Find more info on the NEW ME program at www.waynecounty.com.