Recorded presentation

Donald Schumacher, MD, Center for Nutrition and Preventive Medicine, 401 S. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, NC 28211, 704-347-4455, CNPMschum@aol.com, Peter Safir, MSW, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211-1097, and Michael P. Kennedy, MGA, MPH, CHES, Administration, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211-1097.

A growing awareness of the problems of obesity and the 2002 Men’s Fitness magazine listing Charlotte, NC as the 10th “Fattest City in America” led the Board of County Commissioners to appoint a Healthy Weight Task Force. In response to its findings and a desire for a bold initiative the Mecklenburg County Health Department started the Fit City Challenge as a means of encouraging citizens to eat healthier foods and walk 5 miles a week. Challenges were issued to other cities on the list, community awareness events were held, and a website (www.fitcitychallenge.org) was launched to recruit participation, track progress and build sustained participation. Partnerships were established with community organizations, the YMCA, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and large employers in the region. Fit City Challenge and other improvements led to Charlotte being ranked in 2004 as the 21st “Fittest City in America” by the magazine, leading to a reorientation of the program.

The successes, struggles and lessons learned in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the project will be discussed. Guidance for other communities seeking innovative approaches to addressing the challenges of obesity, the use of web-based technologies, building effective partnerships and outreach to diverse communities will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Understand the complexities of launching community-wide health promotion initiatives.
• 2. Describe necessary components of a web-based health promotion program.
• 3. Identify key partners in their community necessary for successful responses to the challenges of obesity.

Keywords: Obesity, Community-Based Public Health

Related Web page: www.fitcitychallenge.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation