Saratoga Recognized For Fighting Childhood Obesity

The National League of Cities has recognized the Saratoga City Council for the recent completion of key health and wellness goals for Let’s Move! Cities, Towns, and Counties.

The initiative is spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama’s comprehensive Let’s Move! initiative, dedicated to solving the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation, the city said in a press release Wednesday.

Saratoga has recently received two medals for increasing physical activity and improving access to healthy, affordable food for its residents.

The medals were awarded because of Saratoga’s achievements in posting information about nutrition and organizing three community activities promoting health and wellness, including the Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission’s Let’s Walk! event and the Saratoga Youth Commission’s Walk-One-Week and Walk-A-Thon, according to the release.

“As a citizen of Saratoga, I am proud to be involved in a national movement that emphasizes healthy eating and physical exercise,” Mayor Jill Hunter said. “From our eldest citizens to our youngest, we all need to get outside and get moving.”

Councilman Manny Cappello, who is on Saratoga’s Let’s Move! Cities Ad Hoc
Committee, said that the city has made great strides in creating a healthier place to live but more can be done to get people out of their cars and walking or riding their bicycles.

“Physical activity not only promotes a healthier lifestyle but increases smiles,
encourages interactions, and improves the quality of life for everyone,” Cappello said. “I envision a Saratoga where we shop where we live and parking spaces are replaced by bicycle racks.”

Saratoga now has three medals (2 gold, 1 Silver), and is ranked 37th
nationally and fourth among California municipalities.

"I am so proud that Saratoga has been recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama as a city that has committed itself to combatting childhood obesity through a healthy lifestyle,” said Vice Mayor Emily Lo, who is also on Saratoga’s Let’s Move! Cities Ad Hoc Committee.