The National League of Cities Announces Long-term Support for Let's Move Cities, Towns and Counties

PHILADELPHIA, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National League of Cities (NLC) President Ted Ellis, Bluffton, IN announces a new project to provide long-term support for local elected officials, including those participating in Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC). The announcement came as Mayor Ellis joined First Lady Michelle Obama in Philadelphia to promote the Let's Move! initiative which is dedicated to solving the problem of childhood obesity with a generation.

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"I am proud to announce that NLC will be enhancing our work in assisting local elected officials in getting their residents moving and creating healthier lifestyles," said Ted Ellis.  He continued, "I have seen the benefits in my own community, with real costs savings in the form of health care premiums.  This is a tangible financial benefit.  The real benefits come, not from the dollars saved, but in the additional years lived."

With financial support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and in coordination with the United States Conference of Mayors and the National Association of Counties, NLC is leading this initiative in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and nonprofit organizations to provide local elected officials with tools and technical assistance as they seek to promote improved nutrition and increased physical activity in their communities.  The project will address the policy and environmental factors that contribute to obesity. 

Local elected officials can learn more and sign up at www.healthycommunitieshealthyfutures.org.

Local elected officials who sign up their communities to participate in LMCTC commit to achieving five key goals that align with the pillars of Let's Move! to improve the health of local residents:

Goal 1: Start Early Start Smart

To provide children with a healthier start, local elected officials commit to helping early care and early education incorporate best practices for nutrition, physical activity, and screen time into their programs.

Goal 2: MyPlate, Your Place

To empower parents and caregivers, local elected officials commit to prominently displaying MyPlate in all municipal or county venues where food is offered or sold. 

Goal 3: Smart Servings for Students

To provide healthy food in schools, local elected officials, commit to increasing participation in school breakfast and lunch programs.

Goal 4: Model Food Service

To improve access to healthy, affordable foods, local elected officials commit to implementing healthy and sustainable food service guidelines that are aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans at municipal and county facilities.

Goal 5: Active Kids at Play

To increase physical activity, local elected officials commit to mapping local playspaces, completing needs assessments, developing an action plan and implementing a minimum of three proven policies, programs, or initiatives aimed at increasing access to play.

The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.  Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents.

SOURCE National League of Cities