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Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry Montoya (District 1) recently joined 200 other public officials from across the country to discuss policies to advance healthy eating and increased physical activity for America’s children.

Commissioner Montoya represented the National Association of Counties (NACo) at the Childhood Obesity Prevention Summit in Washington, D.C., hosted by Leadership for Healthy Communities (LHC). NACo is one of 11 national groups representing state and local governments and schools working in partnership with LHC to reduce childhood obesity.

“I was honored to represent the nation’s counties at the Childhood Obesity Prevention Summit,” Montoya said. “As county officials, we are on the front lines together with all stakeholders in our communities to encourage healthy eating and active lifestyles for children and families.”

Today, nearly 33 percent of children and adolescents and about 65 percent of adults in the United States are overweight or obese. This health crisis placing them at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other serious, chronic problems.

Beyond the personal health toll, overweight and obesity put added pressure on an already overburdened health care system. Studies estimate that the obesity epidemic is costing the country more than $117 billion per year in direct medical expenses and indirect costs such as reduced productivity and absenteeism.

Santa Fe County has developed the Healthy Lifestyles Program to encourage County employees to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Healthy, happy employees reduce medical care costs, employee days missed to sick leave, and increases productivity.

Santa Fe County has also incorporated wellness principles into its Land Use regulations. The Community College District, for example, was designed to promote multi-modal transportation opportunities, particularly walking and bicycling; design patterns in the built environment and infrastructure such as trails and sidewalks foster healthier lifestyles.