Last week, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) announced the winners of the 2014 Childhood Obesity Prevention Awards during its 82nd Annual Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. The awards went to cities with outstanding programs that focus on educating children and families about the importance of balancing calories and engaging in regular physical activity as ways to achieve a healthy, active and balanced lifestyle.

We partnered with the U.S. Conference of Mayors on this initiative to help communities address tough issues in meaningful and pragmatic ways.  Susan Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association, was quoted in USCM’s news release:

“We’re proud to continue our work on this initiative with the U.S. Conference of Mayors because of the positive impact it will have on families nationwide.  We’re excited to see that previous award winners are growing programs in their communities that are focused on reducing and preventing obesity.  This partnership proves that working together does work, and has a real impact in America’s hometowns.”

The awards were divided into categories for small, medium and large cities, each including both first and second place honors.  An independent panel of judges evaluated the programs and selected the winners based on a number of criteria.

First place in the small city category went to York, Pa., Mayor Kim Bracey for her “Eat Play Breathe: York’s Childhood Wellness Initiative.”  Bracey’s program incorporates wellness into the mission and culture of each city school. Specifically, the program increases nutrition education and physical activity in city schools.   The second place, or outstanding achievement award, prize in this category went to Monrovia, Calif., Mayor Mary Ann Lutz for her “Fit Together” program. Mayor Lutz plans to use this grant to expand “Fit Together,” which is a broad-based interagency partnership between the City of Monrovia, the Santa Anita Family YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills and the Monrovia Unified School District that focuses on childhood nutrition education and physical activity.

In the medium city category, Waterbury, Conn., Mayor Neil O’Leary took home first place for his “Kids Marathon Program,” which keeps kids active by introducing them to the sport of running.  The initiative is operated through a collaboration of the YMCA, City of Waterbury, Department of Education, Boys and Girls Club and the Police Activity League.  The medium city outstanding achievement award went to Little Rock, Ariz., Mayor Mark Stodola’s “Love Your School” program, which creates more than 300 bed gardens, incorporates cooking classes for SNAP-eligible families, supports student-led farmer’s markets, upgrades walking trails and recreational facilities, among other activities.

Denver, Colo., Mayor Michael Hancock took home first place in the large city category for his “Healthy Childcare Makes a Healthy Start” initiative, which expands the number of Denver’s more than 600 childcare centers that incorporate evidence-based healthy eating and active living (HEAL) policies and activities into everyday operations.  Dallas, Texas, Mayor Mike Rawlings won outstanding achievement in this category for his “Mayor’s Youth Fitness Initiative,” or “MyFi.”  “MyFi” launched in 2010, and it engages children ages 6-12 in activities aimed at helping them develop a lifetime love of exercising and eating smart.

Congratulations to these mayors for their innovative programs!  This partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors builds upon long-standing work by the non-alcoholic beverage industry to be part of meaningful solutions to help reduce obesity by supporting nutrition education for children, strengthening communities and empowering consumers.  We’re proud to be working with the U.S. Conference of Mayors on another public-private partnership dedicated to making a real difference.