Chester City Recognized for Achievements in Preventing Childhood Obesity

Chester, PA- The National League of Cities (NLC) recognized Chester for achieving gold medals in all five Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC) goal areas, which are based on achievements made to improve access to healthy, affordable food and promote physical activity for children and adults. This is the highest distinction a community can receive from the LMCTC initiative. 

In addition, Ms Rosetta Carter/Community Health Education Coordinator received an award for Most Dedicated City Staff. These awards were made at NLC’s annual conference in Austin, Texas on November 20, 2014. 

“We applaud Chester for being at the forefront of a growing national movement to improve the health of children and families,” said NLC President Chris Coleman, Mayor of Saint Paul, Minn. “States and cities across the country have recently reported declines in childhood obesity rates. We are hopeful that these types of dedicated efforts will spread and allow us to make continued progress in reversing America’s epidemic of childhood obesity.”

LMCTC is a major component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s comprehensive Let’s Move! Initiative to ensure that kids can grow up healthy. LMCTC works closely with local elected officials nationwide to adopt policies that improve access to healthy affordable food and opportunities for physical activity for their constituents across five goal areas.

“We’re beginning to turn the tide on childhood obesity in America’s communities, and we can’t stop now, especially when it comes to our work at the local level,” First Lady Michelle Obama said. “City and county officials have provided essential leadership for these efforts, and their innovative approaches and effective solutions can help ensure that all our children have a healthy start in life.”

All LMCTC sites have the opportunity to earn up to five gold medals, one for each actionable goal to which they commit as part of the initiative. Medals are awarded to local elected officials based on their achievements in areas such as promoting healthy habits in early child care settings; increasing participation in meal programs before, during and after the school day and/or over the summer months; and increasing opportunities for physical activity. Since July 2012, NLC has awarded 2,056 bronze, silver, and gold medals to local elected officials across the country to recognize their LMCTC progress. 

This year, Chester joins an elite group of 23 cities and counties that have earned five gold medals as a result of their leadership and dedication to ending childhood obesity and improving the health of their residents. NLC added four new awards this year that recognize the leadership of cities for their innovation and the leadership of city officials in their efforts to address childhood obesity.  

“These awards are evidence of our city staff and partner organizations’ hands-on, unwavering commitment to the health and wellness of the Chester Community, most importantly a sustainable quality of life for our children, our next leaders.” Mayor John A. Linder

For more information about the cities, counties and individuals recognized, visit: www.citiesspeak.org/2014/11/20/lets-move-achievements