Promoting Physical Activity in Our Neighborhoods

Promoting Physical Activity in Our Neighborhoods

the fastest-growing public health concern for New Jersey is obesity and its causes. -- The NJ State Development and Redevelopment Plan, 2001

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1994 (*BMI 30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5 4 person) No Data <10% 10% 14% 15% 19% Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC.

Obesity* Trends Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2003 (*BMI 30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5 4 person) No Data <10% 10% 14% 15% 19% 20% 24% 25% Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC.

Increasing Prevalence of Overweight Children 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1960 1980 2000 At Risk to be Overweight Overweight Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control; Ogden, et al, JAMA, 2002 > 85th percentile for Body Mass Index > 95th percentile for Body Mass Index

The Economic Costs of Obesity Obese adults incur annual medical costs that are $395 or 36% higher than those adults of normal weight (National Health Accounts, 2002) New Jersey spends 2.3 billion annually on obesity and obesity related costs (RFI International, 2004)

Childhood Obesity Institute of Medicine Recommendations State and Local Governments Expand and promote opportunities for physical activity in the community through changes to ordinances, capital improvement programs, and other planning practices. Work with communities to support partnerships and networks that expand collaborative efforts between public and private entities http://www.iom.edu/report.asp

Mayors Wellness Campaign Put your community in motion

Objective: Provide municipal leaders with evidence based tools, implementation plans, synergistic contacts and communication materials to engage citizens in programs that increase activity and healthy nutrition Mayors Wellness Campaign

Thanks for the Support Major support from: Additional support from: NJ Department of Transportation NJ League of Municipalities Ramapo College Johnson & Johnson Novo Nordisk Benecard Mayors Wellness Campaign

Employees in Motion Seniors in Motion Youth in Motion Communities in Motion Mayors Wellness Campaign

Employees in Motion Walk/Bike to Work Fitness at Work Mayors Wellness Campaign

Employees in Motion Intra-company Competitions Financial Incentives Mayors Wellness Campaign

Seniors in Motion Walking Programs Aquatic Programs Mayors Wellness Campaign

Seniors in Motion Exercise Classes Senior Facilities Mayors Wellness Campaign

Communities in Motion Healthy Community Planning Healthy Community Facilities Mayors Wellness Campaign

Communities in Motion Healthy Eating Get People Moving Mayors Wellness Campaign

Communication Tools How To Get Press Coverage How to Hold a Press Conference Sample Council Resolution Sample Mayoral Proclamation Sample Press Release Sample Letter to the Editor Sample Op Ed Mayors Wellness Campaign

Youth in Motion Community Based Approaches School-Based Approaches After School Programs Mayors Wellness Campaign

Youth in Motion Medical Community Approaches Children with Disabilities Mayors Wellness Campaign

Safe Routes to School goals 1. Where it s safe, get kids walking and biking. 2. WHERE IT S NOT SAFE, MAKE IT SAFE.

Education/Encouragement 1. Walking Wednesday 2. Frequent Walker Cards/Rider Miles 3. Walk and Roll School Days 4. Walk to School Day/i-Walk 5. Golden Sneaker Awards 6. Walking School Bus/Cycle Train 7. Pace Cars 8. Walk to School Contests 9. Activity at Family Picnic

Enforcement 1. Sidewalk/Property Maintenance Laws 2. Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 3. Pedestrian Sting Operations 4. School Safety Zones 5. Neighborhood Watch Programs 6. Speed Trailers 7. Photo Enforcement 8. Law Enforcement Presence

Engineering 1. Sidewalks (min width of 5 ft) 2. High Visibility Crosswalks 3. School Zone Signing 4. Sidewalk Stencils 5. Bicycle Lanes/Shared Lanes 6. Raised Intersections 7. Speed Humps 8. Pedestrian Scale Lighting 9. Streetscape Elements

WALKING SCHOOL BUS Van Derveer Elementary School, Bridgewater, NJ Ridewise Transportation Management Association Researched the safest walking routes Worked with school principal, police and Somerset Patriots Team 5 route maps with timelines Groups led by adults Kick-off events

Eastern Route BUS SCHEDULE a.m. p.m. Madison Street and North Adamsville Road 8:02 3:32 Madison Street and North Auten Avenue 8:04 3:30 Madison Street and North Richards Ave. 8:06 3:28 Madison Street and North Clark Avenue 8:08 3:26 Madison Street and Eastern States Pkwy 8:11 3:23 Eastern States Pkwy and Van Buren Street 8:13 3:21 Eastern States Pkwy and Putnam Street 8:15 3:19 Eastern States Pkwy and Halsey Street 8:17 3:17 Halsey Street and Post Street 8:19 3:15 Post Street and Lincoln Avenue 8:21 3:13 Lincoln Avenue and Rehill Avenue 8:25 3:09 Rehill Avenue and Union Avenue 8:27 3:06 Arrive at Van Derveer School 8:35

New Jersey Safe Routes to School Coordinator Elise Bremer-Nei, AICP/PP NJ Dept. of Transportation Bicycle/Pedestrian Programs 609-530-2765 srts@njdot.nj.gov www.njdot.nj.gov/community/srts

New Jersey Safe Routes Resources www.njdot.nj.gov/community/srts Toolbox of tip sheets Success Stories from NJ projects Results from Demonstration Programs Funding Information

NJ Health Care Quality Institute 1-800-414-4931 www.mayorswellnesscampaign.org

n e w j e r s e y b i c y c l e a n d p e d e s t r i a n r e s o u r c e c e n t e r www.njbikeped.org

For More Information: Leigh Ann Von Hagen, AICP/PP Voorhees Transportation Center Rutgers University 732-932-6812 x.613 lavh@rci.rutgers.edu www.njbikeped.org