#060250

There is a shocking epidemic spreading throughout America that is causing heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis-related disabilities, some cancers, depression, and much more. It does not discriminate and it is not slowing down. The American College of Nutrition named obesity as the most prevalent disease of children and young adults in the US. Among children aged six to 11, obesity has increased 54% since 1960 with a 40% increase among adolescents 12 to 17 years of age–about 8 million young people–are considered overweight.

Thankfully, this epidemic is preventable, and we already know the cure–healthy eating and exercise habits. Encouraging regular physical activity and healthy eating and creating an environment that supports these behaviors are fundamental to reduce the epidemic of obesity.

"Healthy Saturdays" gives San Francisco's youth a free way to exercise safely, and have a good time in the process–giving them a chance to bike, skate, run, and play freely in Golden Gate Park, without the dangers of traffic two times a week. The estimated annual cost of obesity and overweight health problems in the United States is about $117 billion. This effort to expand the Sunday road closure to Saturdays is a free way to promote healthy physical activity among all San Francisco citizens.

We look forward to seeing the results of this trial program and anticipate that it will lead to additional physical activity opportunities for young people.

The San Francisco Youth Commission unanimously supports the "Healthy Saturdays" initiative, because we believe in creating healthy lifestyles for every person in the City.