PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS

WHEREAS, daily physical activity, even at moderate intensity, reduces the risk of major health problems such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, some forms of cancer, osteoporosis, and obesity; and

WHEREAS, an active lifestyle promotes a higher quality of life, good mental health, enhances one's physical fitness and allows older individuals to extend independent living; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of our citizens suffer needlessly from major health problems or death because of unhealthy lifestyles; and

WHEREAS, 41 percent of women and 35 percent of men are entirely sedentary in their leisure hours; and

WHEREAS, an estimated 61 percent of U.S. adults were overweight or obese, and 13 percent of children and adolescents were overweight; and

WHEREAS, there are nearly twice as many overweight children and almost three times as many overweight adolescents as there were in 1980; and

WHEREAS, overweight and obesity and their associated health problems have substantial economic consequences for the U.S. health care system; and

WHEREAS, physical activity, fitness and sports participation along with healthy dietary behaviors reduce the risk of chronic diseases; and

WHEREAS, efforts to expand awareness and knowledge regarding the benefits of adopting and maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle are less expensive than intervention with problems that have already occurred,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, will work with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, to encourage individuals, professional societies, voluntary and faith-based organizations, private corporations and others to work with government at all levels to facilitate and implement programs and incentives geared towards enhancing the physical activity/fitness and sports participation of our cities' residents.