Let's Move Cities and Towns
Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled. Nearly one in three children in our nation is obese or overweight, and one-third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives. Many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and asthma. A recent study put the health care costs of obesity-related diseases at $147 billion per year.
In a January 2010 address, First Lady Michelle Obama called on mayors to take a leadership role in the Let's Move! initiative to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation.
Become a Let's Move City or Town
Let's Move Cities and Towns is designed to encourage mayors and other municipal officials to adopt a long-term, sustainable and holistic approach to fighting childhood obesity. This initiative recognizes that every city is different, and every town will require a distinct approach to the issue.
An elected official can sign his or her location up as a prospective Let's Move City or a Let's Move Town. During this process, he or she will choose at least one significant action to take during a 12-month period in each of the four pillar areas:
- Reducing the risk of obesity in early childhood
- Making healthy food affordable and accessible
- Providing healthy food in schools
- Increasing physical activity
To join, prospective Let's Move Cities and Towns must submit updates during the first quarter and at the end of the year describing the city's or town's plan, timeline, and actions. These reports will be posted online. Then, a city or town may become a designated Let's Move City or Let's Move Town. Let's Move Cities and Towns for a given year may be recognized in the following ways:
- Let's Move Cities and Towns will receive a certificate of acknowledgement confirming their status as a Let's Move City or Let's Move Town.
- Let's Move! representatives will seek out cities and towns with successful initiatives to highlight and celebrate.
- Accomplishments and ideas for future action may be highlighted on the Let's Move! website.
- Mayors from Let's Move Cities and Towns will be invited to participate in conference calls with White House and federal agency staff to share ideas, discuss barriers and celebrate progress.
- Mayors from Let's Move Cities and Towns may be invited to attend events to celebrate collective success in combating childhood obesity.
Cities have access to a Let's Move Cities and Towns Toolkit for Local Officials developed by the White House, as well as a webinar series to highlight promising strategies for promoting healthy eating and active living.
