Proposed Healthy City Designation For Sonora
Sonora, CA – Sonora could choose to be the next Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) City. The Sonora City Council heard a proposal from Tuolumne County Health Officer Dr. Todd Stolp. He says, “This initiative has as its goal getting people outdoors, using their feet rather than their wheels Trying to return us to a community that is active. We have changed our communities developed them really around automobiles, with cars and lights and of course pedestrain walkways but typically they are designed after our automobile access routes are set.”
Stolp says the Sonora City Council is very interested in adopting a resolution to promote the idea very soon.
Stolp cited several troubling statistics that are prompting the need for a resolution;”Since the 60’s sugary beverage consumption have increased from 20 gallons per person per year to 50 gallons. Only 10% of students now walk to school versus 40%. The amount of people in sedentary jobs has doubled and television viewing has increased from 80 minutes per day to over 140 minutes per day.” Stolp says, “In Tuolumne County over 60% of adults are considered overweight or obese and between 2006 and 2010 29% of 9th grade students were overweight or obese.”
Stolp says, “The goal in the Healthy Eating Active Living cities campaign is
to modify the way we use our cities and the way we envision our participation in our cities to keep us more active and to help us have better options to choose for food and beverages.”
Stolp notes that several local businesses, with the exception of WalMart, have expressed interest in providing a healthy foods isle and better options for food and beverages. He also noted with enthuisasm that the Vision Sonora project (information here) and County School’s Fit for the Future program also support the healthy living city goal. Information about Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools, Joe Silva’s, “Walktober” and Fit for the Future program is here.
Public input about how to tailor the program to Sonora is welcome. For a related project view “City Takes Up Dragoon Gulch Master Plan“
As of October 11th there are 157 HEAL cities in California. All California cities which adopt policies encouraging physical activity and good nutrition are eligible to be a Healthy Eating Active Living City and upon review and approval, become eligible for public relations and marketing resources including use of the HEAL Cities logo. You can view the logo and more information at healcitiescampaign.org
