By Khalida Sarwari
Campbell was recognized this week for its efforts in the Let’s Move Cities, Towns and Counties campaign.
The city of Campbell joined the initiative when it was launched two years ago by First Lady Michelle Obama. Let’s Move, Let’s Play encourages local elected officials to adopt long-term, sustainable strategies to addressing childhood obesity and offer opportunities for healthy activities in their communities.
Campbell has carried out the effort by establishing its annual Let’s Move, Let’s Play Open House, the incorporation of a free series of recreational activities before each summer concert, expansion of its 5K and 10K runs, sponsorship of community-supported agriculture programs at the Campbell Community Center, in addition to offering ongoing classes and fitness programs.
“I take a little bit of pride from pushing this thing several years ago,” Mayor Mike Kotowski, who is a lifelong runner, said after accepting a proclamation from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department at the Nov. 5 city council meeting.
Lori Martin, a nutrition and wellness manager for the county’s health department presented the mayor and members of the council with a proclamation recognizing the city for its participation in the initiative to end the obesity epidemic.
“We’re really trying to shape the community so that kids matter and kids obesity is on the decline,” said Martin.
According to a city report, childhood obesity rates in America have quadrupled over the past four decades and today 23.5 million kids–nearly one in three–are overweight or obese. The report estimates that one-third of all boys and two out of every five girls born in 2010 or later will suffer from type 2 diabetes at some point in their lives. That figure is higher among Hispanics and blacks.
“This is a health issue that’s not only a social issue, but is really related to health care costs,” Cynthia Bojorquez, the city’s recreation and community services director, said.
In addition to the health consequences of childhood obesity, the annual costs of obesity-related illnesses are estimated at more than $190 billion, accounting for nearly 21 percent of annual medical spending in the U.S., according to the city report. The estimated medical costs for childhood obesity alone are $14 billion. Those costs are expected to rise significantly, the report predicts.
Campbell is one of 15 cities participating in the Let’s Move, Let’s Play initiative. The county is the first in the country that has 100 percent participation of its cities in the campaign.
