"Obesity is the fastest growing, most threatening disease in America today, " reports Surgeon General Richard Carmona.

In California, public health data show nearly 30 percent of children and teens are overweight or obese. These numbers have more than doubled in the last 10 years. In 2004, seven of the ten largest cities in California had childhood overweight rates that were higher than the statewide average, ranging from 36.3% in Los Angeles to 24.4% in San Francisco.

The costs of this epidemic are high. California spent $7.7 billion in 2003 on direct health care costs attributed to obesity alone. For the first time in US history, children no longer have a life expectancy greater than their parents. Collectively, today’s children will have less productive school and work lives, higher medical expenses, and in short, a decreased quality of life.

One element of the obesity formula is physical activity. For many, walking is no longer a common mode of transportation. Communities need to ensure that children have safe routes to walk, skate or bicycle to and from schools. Children need safe places to be active before, during, and after school hours such as parks, ball-fields, pools, gyms and recreation centers. These facilities need to be in locations that are accessible and well-maintained.

On the other element is access to healthy foods. Children and youth need nutritious foods in reasonable portions at home, at school and in their neighborhoods. Children and families rely on what is available in their community. In some areas, the only sources are fast food outlets, convenience and liquor stores.

The issue is complex and linked to land use. Decisions made about where to locate schools, parks, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, and the design of new or infill housing all have an impact on the overall health of children. Many neighborhoods lack access to fresh food, open space, sidewalks and parks. Parents, concerned about their children’s safety, keep them indoors where they engage in sedentary activities. Surfing the web and watching television exposes them to the $15 billion junk-food advertising industry which further reinforces an unhealthy lifestyle.

CCS Partnership has initiated the Healthy Children – Healthy Communities Campaign to help local governments lead the way for healthy children, healthy communities.