The Cathedral City Council moved to tackle the obesity crisis head on today by signing on as a charter member of adopting a resolution in support of the Healthy Eating Active Living Cities Campaign (HEAL), a statewide campaign aimed at introducing changes in city policies and environments to reduce local obesity and physical inactivity rates and related costs.

“We want to be sure that our residents and our staff have the opportunity to make healthy life choices and that there are resources in our community to fight the growing problem of obesity and other health issues,” said Cathedral City Council Member Greg Pettis.”

“As development ordinances are updated and when new development is proposed, the tenants of the HEAL resolution will be incorporated in hopes that over time we can create a healthier environment for residents of the community,” Cathedral City Community Development Director Andy Hall said.

“Developing innovative ideas in promoting a healthy lifestyle for not only the community but for the employees is not new to Cathedral City.   The City currently engages in an active wellness program and has facilitated a very successful Weight Loss Challenge with its employees.  Cathedral City has also partnered with the Desert Regional Healthcare District in the construction of a walking track around the perimeter of a new 17 acre soccer park, which incorporates exercise equipment into a walking program. The city then facilitated a weight loss and education program, utilizing this walking track, for its neighboring middle school children.  Part of being a leader in promoting a healthy lifestyle is by engaging our community partners in delivering such programs.  Cathedral City continues to lead the way in this approach,” stated Administrative Services Director Tami Scott.

In California, where more than half the adult population is obese or overweight, a recent study showed that the epidemic is costing the state more than $41 billion a year in health care costs and lost productivity. Cathedral City hopes to control those costs by drawing on the HEAL campaign’s free training and assistance in the adoption of policies to improve the community’s physical activity and retail food environments.

While citizens play a pivotal role in the diet and exercise choices they make, Cathedral City policymakers recognize that local government plays a part in making it easier for their citizens to move to healthier behaviors.

“Cathedral City is and has been committed to the fitness of its residents. The HEAL tenants bring additional emphasis to resolving a health issues in this and many other communities,” said Cathedral City Mayor Kathleen J. DeRosa.

“We welcome Cathedral City’s partnership in addressing the serious and growing epidemic of obesity,” said Charlotte Dickson of the HEAL campaign. “It takes an innovative city government to explore new policy approaches that answer both the challenges associated with reduced funding and skyrocketing obesity-related costs. Cathedral City’s citizens should be rightfully proud that their local government is on the cutting edge of this issue.”

For more information about the HEAL Cities Campaign call (510) 302-3387 or visit www.healcitiescampaign.org.

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