Together
We Can Make a Difference
Preventing Obesity & Creating Healthy Communities
Health & Wellness In DuPage County, Illinois
FORWARD DuPage creates healthy communities by focusing on the importance of food choices, physical activity, sleep, stress reduction, and a healthy immune system. We believe all residents of DuPage County deserve equitable opportunities to achieve optimal health.
How We Do It
As a public health organization in DuPage County, Illinois, we are committed to building healthy and resilient communities.
We provide communities with access to health and wellness resources and educational webinars.
We identify the issues and work together to empower those who historically carry the burden of health inequities to help eliminate barriers so that everyone across DuPage, regardless of economic status, race, nationality, or religion can live their fullest life.
We train and support childcare providers, pre-schools, home visiting staff and schools to provide and promote environments for children to learn healthy habits.
We also work with municipal leaders and local governments to improve the environment and make it easier for people of all backgrounds to make healthier choices
Preventing Obesity for Over a Decade
Obesity is a severe public health crisis. For twelve years, FORWARD DuPage has ensured that obesity prevention through healthy lifestyle choices remains a top priority for DuPage County. Annually measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI) rates of kindergarten, sixth and ninth grade students and DuPage Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants aged 2-4 years is conducted in partnership with the DuPage County Health Department and the Regional Office of Education.
Join us in the fight against obesity. Click here to take the pledge.
16.9%
DuPage County's early childhood obesity rate is 16.9% which exceeds the national rate of 14.4%
21%
In DuPage County, 21% of Hispanic children enrolled in WIC are obese compared to 10.8% non-Hispanic children
15%
15% of school-aged children age 2-19 years are obese compared to 18.5% nationally
1 in 7
More than 1 in 7 DuPage County school-aged children are obese
Preventing Obesity for Over a Decade
Obesity is a severe public health crisis. For twelve years, FORWARD DuPage, the healthy lifestyle expert for DuPage County, has ensured that obesity prevention through healthy lifestyle choices remains a top priority for DuPage County. Annually measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI) rates of kindergarten, sixth and ninth grade students and DuPage Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants aged 2-4 years is conducted in partnership with the DuPage County Health Department and the Regional Office of Education.
Join us in the fight against obesity. Click here to take the pledge.
16.9%
DuPage County's early childhood obesity rate is 16.9% which exceeds the national rate of 14.4%
21%
In DuPage County, 21% of Hispanic children enrolled in WIC are obese compared to 10.8% non-Hispanic children
15%
15% of school-aged children age 2-19 years are obese compared to 18.5% nationally
1 in 7
More than 1 in 7 DuPage County school-aged children are obese
What We Do
Forward leverages expertise from around the corner and across the U.S. through its staff, board of directors, community partners, and state and national health experts and initiatives. Forward convenes, educates, connects, and shares best practices using these experts in nutrition, physical activity, and the built environment for our broad-based community coalition of more than 1500 leaders, stakeholders, policymakers, and individuals. They, in turn, start new initiatives and programs, adopt practices, and help us change policies that improve health for the citizens of the county.
Collaborating for an Equitable DuPage County. Click here to read FORWARD's DEI Purpose Statement.
FORWARD's Impact & Purpose Sizzle Packet. Click here to view.
Practical Ways to Influence & Understand Racial & Ethnic Disparities in Childhood Obesity - A White Paper. Click here to view. You can find the
Tips and Strategies for Families to Begin to Overcome the Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Childhood Obesity. Click here to view.
FORWARD’s Webinar Series.
Click here to view past webinars, videos, and slide decks.
Current Initiatives
Educational Programming For All
Provide education led by experts on topics related to chronic disease prevention and treatment, and healthy lifestyle choices.
Technical Support and Training
Direct DuPage County education programs for high-risk populations on nutrition, sleep, stress, and physical activity.
Advocacy for Advancement
Advance policies, programs, resources and practices to improve nutrition, physical activity and the built environment in DuPage County.
Data Collection Dissemination
Identify risk factors and share with the community to promote programming to address the lack of healthy lifestyle options for children and families across DuPage County.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date! Sign up using the form below to receive news, tips, events, and opportunities from FORWARD DuPage.
Donate Now
We fight to raise the visibility of the alarming impacts of obesity and inspire others to lead healthier lifestyles through sustainable change. We share best practices in nutrition, physical activity, and the built environment.
For over 12 years, FORWARD DuPage has created partnerships to inspire and implement lasting healthy changes across DuPage County. We aim to stay the course and embed these healthy changes in every school, child-care center, business, neighborhood, and home through our staff, board, and partners.
If you want to help us implement our vision, please click below to make a one-time donation or set up a recurring gift.
Thank You to Our Donors!
