NLC Recognizes Communities and Local Leaders for Achievements in Addressing Childhood Obesity through Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Counties

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the National League of Cities (NLC) recognized more than 30 cities and counties, and three local leaders for their efforts to improve nutrition and increase physical activity in their communities through Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC). The cities were recognized at an award ceremony today at NLC' City Summit in Pittsburgh.

"Across the country, cities large and small are taking steps to transform their communities into healthier places to live," said National League of Cities Executive Director and CEO Clarence Anthony. "Today, we celebrate their commitment and dedication to creating a healthier future for our nation's children."

With today's announcement, there are now 92 cities, towns, and counties that have achieved five gold medals in recognition for their efforts. Medals are awarded to communities based on their achievements in improving access to healthy, affordable food and promoting physical activity. Thirty-two communities received recognition at today's ceremony:

• Ammon, Idaho
• Barre, Vermont
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• Cambridge, Maryland
• Coconut Creek, Florida
• Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
• Decatur, Indiana
• Delray Beach, Florida
• Everett, Massachusetts
• Forest Heights, Maryland
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Gary, Indiana
• Glendale, California
• Greene County, Tennessee
• Greeneville, Tennessee
• Hoffman Estates, Illinois
• Hopewell, Virginia
• Lakewood, Colorado
• Linden, New Jersey
• Lynchburg, Virginia
• Newark, New Jersey
• Orange Township, New Jersey
• Ottawa, Kansas
• Piqua, Ohio
• Portland, Maine
• Rialto, California
• Riverside, California
• San Pablo, California
• Sierra Vista, Arizona
• Suffolk, Virginia
• Warrenton, Virginia

LMCTC is a major component of First Lady Michelle Obama's comprehensive Let's Move! Initiative, which was designed to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. More than 500 cities, towns and counties participate in LMCTC, and 81 million Americans are now living in LMCTC communities.

"LMCTC is about ensuring children have everything they need to live healthier lives and fulfill their potential," said Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Acting Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Mayors, city councilmembers, county commissioners and other local officials around the country are to be commended for stepping up to the challenge and making measurable progress in their efforts to improve children's health."

In addition, 3 city leaders were recognized with special awards for their exemplary efforts to go above and beyond the goals of LMCTC to ensure the health and well-being of young people today and that of future generations is a priority:

• Most Dedicated Local Elected Official – Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando, FL
• Most Dedicated City/County Staff Person – Michael Wright, Fontana, CA
• LMCTC Change Maker Award – Stephanie Quaranta, Barre, VT

Early this year the City of McAllen, Texas, was recognized as the first city to earn the Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC) "All-Star" designation. LMCTC All-Stars was developed and launched in response to the demand for more advanced and challenging activities after completing the five original LMCTC goals. McAllen, Texas is the first ever LMCTC site to complete this new program, which requires sites to adopt additional evidence-based policy strategies to promote health and wellness.

"This administration is proud of the work local elected officials are doing in communities across the country to raise a healthier next generation," said Jerry Abramson, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. "And it can't stop now. We need champions at every level that are committed to this work long-term and will continue to create impactful change as these communities have shown is possible." 

About the National League of Cities:
The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. www.nlc.org

NLC is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Association of Counties and other nonprofit organizations, to assist local elected officials who join LMCTC as they implement policy and environmental changes to prevent childhood obesity. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded NLC a grant to provide technical assistance to local elected officials working to create healthier communities and prevent childhood obesity, including those participating in LMCTC.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081022/NLCLOGO

SOURCE National League of Cities