The
Fit City Challenge is a community level initiative to encourage and empower program participants to increase their level of physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption. Beyond promotional and awareness campaigns, the
Fit City Challenge aims to provide the tools, the motivation and the mentoring for both the individual and the community to succeed in addressing the epidemic of overweight and obesity. "Long term, our goal is to have Charlotte-Mecklenburg recognized as the fittest community in this country - and then sustain that title" say's Dianne Thomas,
Fit City Challenge Director.
At the core of the Fit City Challenge are the parallel goals of walking 5 miles per week and eating 5 fruits and vegetables each day, then recording progress in these areas through this dynamic and interactive web site.
Exercise and fruit and vegetable consumption are recognized as essential elements of any successful healthy weight program and the most effective means of lowering our risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and certain types of cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 61% of American adults are overweight or obese and that the percentage of children and adolescents considered overweight has doubled since the 1970's. Obesity and related illnesses cost the U.S. $117 to $120 billion dollars every year in direct care costs and lost productivity. This epidemic now ranks second behind only tobacco use in preventable causes of death.
The Fit City Challenge is the result of the work of the Mecklenburg County, NC Healthy Weight Task Force and its charge to identify best practices and galvanize the community in overcoming the factors that contribute to overweight and obesity, particularly in children and youth.
