Childhood obesity is literally and figuratively choking this country’s future, derailing the health of our youth and driving the costs of insurance and health care up, up and eventually away from those who need it most.

“Some experts warn that today’s children are the first generation in danger of living a shorter lifespan than their parents,” said Scott Going, a professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona.

In an attempt to help curb the disturbing trends of growing obesity, chronic disease and health-care crisis, the YMCA has developed Activate America ­– a long-term public health initiative.

And Tucson was chosen as one of some 30 cities across the nation to implement strategies to make healthy living a reality for both children and adults in our community.

There are three key components to Activate Tucson, a coalition of community resources working together to promote a health-conscious environment:

n       Organizational improvement.

n       Community leadership.

n       Strategic partnership.

“We’re trying to accomplish something collectively that you could not do individually,” said Dan McDonald of the UA’s Cooperative Extension.

Organizing and providing a clearinghouse of information is one of the main goals. The local committee hopes to create one-stop shopping for everything from fitness walks to bicycle safety to healthy food choices.

Currently, one could spend all day surfing the Internet for activities in Tucson. In the near future, with one simple Web click, health-minded individuals can browse scheduled events in their community and where to go for the most up-to-date information.

Soon, Activate Tucson will have its own Web site. Until then, information on the effort can be found at www.tucsonymca.org. Click on “YMCA of Tucson” and then select “Activate Tucson.”

“There’s a lot of good work going on in Tucson, but not a lot of organization,” said Dane Woll, president of the Tucson Metropolitan YMCA.

Activate Tucson will also mesh seamlessly with current leadership already in place ­– leadership that shares the common goal of making Tucson the healthiest place in the U.S.

Tucson jumped from eighth to fourth in the latest rankings of healthiest cities by Men’s Health magazine.

“Our goal is to be No. 1,” said Annemarie Medina, who oversees Tucson mayor Bob Walkup’s healthy initiative program. “The mayor’s office, the YMCA, the U of A, HealthNet, Pima County and others; we already had been working together and this only solidifies our efforts.”

The ultimate long-term objective for Activate Tucson is to have a voice influencing policy at the local, state and national levels.

One example of a current program that fulfills Activate Tucson’s mission is the Walking School Bus, to encourage student to walk to school each day.

Already in 15 elementary schools citywide, the Walking School Bus uses volunteers to walk kids to school, “picking up” children at neighborhood “bus stops” along the way. Students accumulate points which can be redeemed for prizes.

“We even have kids who live too close or too far away from school walking at lunch or recess,” Woll added. “Sometimes, they walk further than the kids who walk to school.”

Activate Tucson hopes to eventually implement the Walking School Bus to some 135 elementary schools in the community.

The program is matriculating into the business community as well. Not only have companies donated prizes such as bicycles, but they have introduced their own wellness programs and volunteer opportunities to their employees.

Activate Tucson hopes to facilitate the marriage between businesses and the community. The programs run the gamut from Adopt-A-School programs or simply providing healthy alternative snacks in campus vending machines.

But it’s not just businesses. The effort is rooted in reaching out to a constituency that includes the faith community, non-profits, neighborhoods, the media and government. Bringing those groups together in an e-calendar of events, for example, is one method of collaboration.

Such merging of forces can also strengthen leverage in securing necessary grants and major gifts.

The sharing of information will also assist groups so that organizations are not constantly re-inventing the wheel when putting on an event or addressing a program.

“We’re taking these resources, and putting partners in touch with each other to be able to reach more people and to have a stronger impact,” said Martha Monroy of the University of Arizona’s College of Public Health. “So many people, groups and businesses would like to be involved more in their community, but they don’t know where to start.”

Businesses are also jumping aboard in other ways.

McDonalds, long known for its high-calorie, high-fat menu, has become more health-conscious by adding affordable, healthy choices for its diners. Its iconic ambassador, Ronald McDonald, visits schools with an exercise program.

“We see a trend, but we have a long way to go,” Medina said. “We need to never let go of that focus.”

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Quotes

Scott Going

Professor, Exercise Physiologist

Department of Nutritional Sciences

University of Arizona

“The obesity epidemic may be our most important public health challenge. The rise in pediatric obesity is particularly troubling given the likelihood that overweight children and adolescents become obese adults, and the strong associations between obesity and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Children today are heavier than ever before and some experts warn that today’s children are the first generation in danger of living a shorter lifespan than their parents. Children need opportunities for healthy nutrition and physical activity throughout the day, and this will only happen through the concerted efforts of parents, schools, community organizations and other concerned groups. Activate Tucson strives to promote awareness, encourage a "grass roots effort" that is self-sustaining, and coordinate volunteer efforts in Tucson for maximum impact.”

Joan Kmotorka

Director

Health Plan Operations

HealthNet of Arizona, Inc.

Participating in Activate Tucson is a great opportunity for Health Net to

put into action our mission of helping people be healthy,” said Joan

Kmotorka, vice president of process improvement for HealthNet. We'll be

encouraging employers to promote healthy lifestyles to their employees, and

giving them ideas to do so, and we'll be asking them to join with us to

build a healthier community through programs that reach schools and

families."

Donna Lewandowski

Department of Transportation

Pima County

“.”

Dan McDonald, Ph.D.

Assistant Area Agent and Regional Specialist

Pima County Cooperative Extension

University of Arizona

“I think we are very fortunate to live in a place like Tucson where there is so much going on that helps people live in healthier ways. But there is so much more that needs to be done. One way to reach out to those not yet touched by wellness programs is for those involved in healthy activities and events to collaborate better. Effective collaboration relies heavily on a common vision. The vision of activating Tucsonans toward healthier lifestyles is one that is shared by the many organizations that make up our coalition. Together we have been able to support and improve what we do individually and collectively, and to begin to get others on board to share our vision and make it a reality.”

Annemarie Medina

Constituent Advocate

Office of Mayor Bob Walkup

City of Tucson

“.”

Martha Monroy

Southside Tucson Program Coordinator

College of Public Health

University of Arizona

“The importance of encouraging a healthy lifestyle for all Arizonans cannot be overstated given the rates of overweight and obese individuals nationwide. This problem cannot be tackled by one program or agency alone. The Activate Tucson coalition allows us to share resources so
we have a farther reach and a greater impact. My connection and relationship with the other Activate Tucson partners has helped us to develop successful community programs and activities as well as helped to launch policy initiatives on Tucson's Southside.”

Dane Woll

Chief Executive Officer

Tucson Metropolitan YMCA

“Activate Tucson is a collaborative effort for community building. We want to make Tucson a healthier community. The YMCA's role is to serve as a connector to bring together high-level representatives from municipal, academic, public health and private sectors to drive meaningful, measurable community change. Activate Tucson is not a program but rather an opportunity to accomplish collectively more than we can accomplish individually. We will provide resources and program models for interested groups to implement. The YMCA is committed to making Tucson a healthier community. Activate Tucson is a way to bring together other stake holders and stretch our limited resources to curb the obesity epidemic.”

__________________________________________________________________________

Lucy Howell

President

Tucson SPORT Magazine

Tucson Sport Magazine is proud to partner with the Activate Tucson Team and is committed to bridging the gap of quality information, all the way from the top, at the national level, to the state level, down to the local level.  Together, collectively, and collaboratively, we will affect the health of our communities, our families, our children and our future.