By Crystal Swann
February 1, 2010

A year to the day after her husband was sworn in as President, First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the 78th Winter Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors to officially launch her new initiative to reduce childhood obesity and to ask for the Mayors' support. Calling obesity one of the biggest threats to the American economy, Obama stated, "Ultimately, it's going to take all of us — businesses and non-profits, community centers and health centers…and particularly all of you, our nation's mayors — all working together to help families make commonsense changes so our kids can get and stay healthy."

The initiative will involve the federal government working with communities, businesses and others to provide children access to more affordable and nutritious food and creating better opportunities for physical activity. The idea, she said, is simple: "…put in place common'sense initiatives and solutions to empower families and communities to make healthy decisions for their kids."

Obama recognized with acute clarity the challenges facing cities during these difficult economic times but she also commended mayors for understanding that leadership is about having "the foresight — and the courage — to make those sacrifices and investments in the short run that pay big dividends… in the long run… such as those smart, strategic effort to help our kids lead active, healthy lives right from the beginning."

The First Lady commended the work of the U.S. Conference of Mayors to address childhood obesity, including the development of the Mayors Guide to Fighting Childhood Obesity. "It makes sense that this organization, composed of mayors across the political spectrum, would take the lead on this issue," she said. "Because like much of what you do each day, this isn't a partisan issue… it's about the future we want for our kids. And it's about whether we're willing to use both our policies and our bully pulpits to build that future."

Obama also highlighted steps some mayors have taken to help their communities get healthier:

• Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett challenged the city to lose one million pounds and created a website where people can find weight-loss tips and track their progress. Some 40,000 people have signed up and, together, have shed more than half-a-million pounds. Cornett lost 40 pounds. His example, Obama noted, demonstrates the power of raising awareness of the issue.

• Somerville (MA) Mayor Joseph Curtatone partnered with local eateries as part of a citywide strategy to fight obesity, promoting restaurants that have agreed to offer low-fat menu options and smaller portions.

• Bowling Green (KY) Mayor Elaine Walker launched a website to encourage residents to exercise by helping them find information on parks, trails and upcoming bike rides, runs and walks.

The Mayors' Healthy Cities Campaign was launched in the Spring of 2004 in response to the nation's growing obesity epidemic and its relationship to chronic diseases and certain types of cancers. Because chronic diseases — such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease — and obesity often can be prevented or alleviated through regular exercise and healthy eating, the Mayors' Healthy Cities Campaign focuses on ways that mayors can have an impact on the health of their constituents by:

• Establishing policies and programs that facilitate and promote access to physical exercise and healthy eating, particularly among low-income individuals and racial and ethnic minorities.

The Mayors Guide to Fighting Childhood Obesity may be viewed on the website usmayors.org/chhs.