WHEREAS, There are more than 36 million people living in California; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 20 percent of California adults and 27 percent of California children are considered overweight or obese; and

WHEREAS, The League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, and the California School Boards Association support policies that focus on health and wellness, continuing education, and healthier lifestyles in all communities; and

WHEREAS, Many cities, counties, and schools have adopted policies, programs, and ordinances that promote healthy lifestyles by making their communities walkable, promoting youth and senior activities, eliminating the sale of junk food in city, county, or school facilities, providing incentives for stores that sell fresh produce to locate in depressed neighborhoods, and providing exercise opportunities for their residents; and

WHEREAS, The Cities, Counties and Schools Partnership Board of Directors adopted “Healthy Children, Healthy Communities: An Action Guide for California Communities” to support local government in collaboratively addressing child obesity; and

WHEREAS, City, county, and school officials believe there are important, long-term community benefits to be gained by encouraging healthy lifestyles, including a potential decrease in the rate of childhood obesity and its negative health-related impacts; and

WHEREAS, State and local communities can work together to understand the relationship between obesity, land-use policies, and community planning; and

WHEREAS, The state and local communities can work together to ensure that there are safe places for their residents to be active such as in parks, ball fields, pools, gyms, and recreation centers; and

WHEREAS, Access to healthy foods has a direct impact on the overall health of our community and planning for fresh food, open space, sidewalks, and parks should be a priority; now, therefore, be it