Six cities score grant awards for childhood obesity prevention

WASHINGTON — The United States Conference of Mayors announced winners of the 2014 Childhood Obesity Prevention Awards. The grant awards went to cities with outstanding programs that encouraged balanced diet choices and regular physical activity to maintain healthy weight.



The following cities were recognized:

• Dallas, Texas;


• Denver, Colo.;


• Little Rock, Ark.;


• Monrovia, Calif.;


• Waterbury, Conn.; and


• York, Pa.

The grant program is the result of a partnership formed between USCM and the American Beverage Association. It also includes a national public awareness campaign and connects mayors with cost-effective strategies to successfully reduce childhood obesity in their cities.



“Combating childhood obesity has become a top priority for mayors in their cities,” Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, said. “The best available science demonstrates that children with health problems related to overweight and obesity unfortunately not only fall far behind in school, but also can’t compete in the workforce. And that’s why we’re so proud of our partnership with the American Beverage Association, to support the pioneering strategies that mayors and cities are coming up with to eradicate childhood obesity.”