Mayor Newsom announces
new health fitness initiative

By Angela Hokanson, Bay City News Service

April 27, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - The mayor of San Francisco yesterday announced a new health and fitness initiative called "The Mayor's Challenge: Shape Up San Francisco" that is aimed at improving the health of San Francisco residents.

The program, which is built on several public-private partnerships, will increase the opportunities available to San Franciscans for good nutrition and physical fitness, the mayor's office reported.

"(The initiative) will address the serious public health epidemic of obesity, inactivity, and poor nutrition. For the first time, American children born today have a lower life expectancy than their parents," said Mayor Gavin Newsom.

The mayor is challenging city departments, businesses, and community organizations to create environments that are conducive to healthier lifestyles.

"In San Francisco, one-quarter of our children are overweight or obese. And over one-third of adolescents and adults are overweight or obese. Overweight and obese boys and girls in San Francisco have a 30 to 40 percent chance of being diagnosed with Type II diabetes, which can lead to health challenges now and later in life," the mayor said.

As part of the initiative, increased fresh produce will be added to the meals in the mayor's summer lunch program, which provides lunches to low-income San Francisco children during the school break.

The Bayview Farmer's Market will also re-open in May to help increase access to healthy foods for residents of the Bayview-Hunter's Point neighborhood.

The city also intends to adopt "worksite wellness" strategies for city departments.

The initiative also supports the Youth Walking Challenge, which encourages San Francisco residents to walk for exercise in their neighborhoods.

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