In the last 25 years, childhood obesity rates in London and New York City have more than doubled, threatening children\u2019s well-being, contributing to rising rates of diabetes, and imposing a financial burden on families and government.\u00a0\u00a0 How can New York City and London reverse these dangerous trends?\u00a0<\/p>\n
To answer this question, in 2008 and 2009 researchers from City University of New York and London Metropolitan University organized meetings with health officials, other researchers and city leaders from London and New York. They analyzed childhood obesity in the two cities, compared municipal responses and recommended strategies for to bring childhood obesity under control.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
A new report, A Tale of Two ObesCities: Comparing responses to childhood obesity in London and in New York<\/em><\/strong> by the City University of New York and London Metropolitan University draws on their findings and presents a comprehensive strategy for the cities to decelerate the rise of childhood obesity and related inequalities in health. The report will be released on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 from 8:30 \u201310:00am\u00a0 at CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue 34th Street, The Skylight Room, Ninth Floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Our report shows that while childhood obesity affects all groups, it is becoming increasingly concentrated among low income children and neighborhoods in both cities,” says Nicholas Freudenberg, Distinguished Professor of Public Health at the City University of New York School of Public Health, Hunter College, and a co-author of the report. “To bring childhood obesity under control, New York and London need to find new ways to make it easier for low income families to find healthy food and safe places for physical activity and to avoid unhealthy food.”\u00a0 The report shows that both cities face common challenges such as high rates of child poverty, massive efforts to advertise unhealthy food, \u00a0many recent immigrants and limited ability to bring together the city agencies that can play a role in reducing childhood obesity.\u00a0 However, both cities have launched innovative programs and can learn from each other\u2019s successes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The report recommends changes in five sectors: land use and planning; food; parks and green space; transportation; schools, and research and training.<\/p>\n Recommendations include:<\/p>\n In response to the release of report in London on January 25, <\/sup>2010, London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “A superb 2012 legacy for London would be the obliteration of childhood obesity.\u00a0 We are championing effective plans across the capital to fight this and I hope that working with New York will result in leaner, fitter children and families in both our cities. I want to take on the fast food companies who mercilessly lure children into excessive calorie consumption. If schools can help create mini-farms we could cultivate a nation of enthused Jamie Oliver’s. I\u2019m also investing millions in the sports and parks that every child in our city should have access to. A key part of my health inequalities plan is to increase access to affordable healthy alternatives.”<\/p>\n Speakers at the February 10 release will include Dr. Karen Aletha Maybank, \u00a0Assistant Commissioner, Brooklyn District Public Health Office, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Professor\u00a0 Eileen O\u2019Keefe, London Metropolitan University;<\/p>\n Nancy Romer, a leader of the Brooklyn Food Coalition, and (invited) City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.\u00a0<\/p>\n For admission to the event register at the following url:<\/p>\n\n