By Patricia Carter and Angela Knudson
February 2, 2009

Oklahoma City Mayor Cornett, Dr. Smith Highlight Local Models for Combating Obesity

By Patricia Carter and Angela Knudson

At the January 17 luncheon, Dr. Ian Smith, medical/diet expert on KH1's highly rated "Celebrity Fit Club," and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett presented tactics to inspire and motivate overweight and obese citizens to lose weight.

More than 750,000 people have across the country have lost over three million pounds with the help of The 50 Million Pound Challenge, an initiative started jointly by Smith and State Farm. Originally tailored to an African American audience, Smith urged that The Challenge was not just about African Americans but about the level of wellness of all Americans. State Farm has developed tools for cities interested in joining The Challenge.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson was the first mayor to take on The Challenge. The result: nearly 10,000 citizens across Ohio participated and collectively lost more than 20,000 pounds in the first six months. Cleveland accounted for half of the state's participation and weight loss challenge. Interested mayors and city staff can find more information about this free program at www.50millionpounds.com/connect.

After his city was named one of the most obese cities in the nation, Cornett decided that his city needed to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Partnering with Oklahoma City-based Foundation Healthcare, which offered their clinical expertise and the necessary resources to launch the website, Cornett announced, "This City is Going on a Diet." This idea, started in December 2007, surprised many and made national news, and since its implementation, the city has lost over 300,000 pounds.

With one-third of Americans affected by obesity, a total of $93 billion is added to our nation's medical bill every year. The numbers are shocking and Cornett is proving that things can change. Healthy recipes, meal planning, exercise, and behavioral modifications are just a few of the resources offered at www.ThisCityIsGoingOnADiet.com. To support a healthier lifestyle, the city has created hundreds of miles of new sidewalks and the school system is building more gymnasiums.

Obesity is a life-threatening disease, and every year 112,000 people die as a result of it. People struggling with obesity are also placed at a higher risk for heart disease, cancer, and Type-2 diabetes. Jackson and Cornett, along with many other mayors, understand this problem. Mayors are instituting creative solutions including improving city design to facilitate active living and healthy eating and motivating citizens to change their lifestyles and live healthier lives.

To stay current, join the Mayors' Healthy Cities Campaign at www.usmayors.org/chhs/healthycities_registration.asp or contact Patricia Carter at PCarter@usmayors.org. The Campaign is addressing the nation's childhood obesity epidemic by educating leaders about the impact of public policies on the health of children and providing information about policies and programs that support active living and access to healthy foods.