In Everett, Mass., Mayor Carlo DeMaria is tackling childhood obesity with nutrition education and physical activity.

Earlier this year, the city of Everett was named first place winner in the small city category of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ (USCM) 2016 Childhood Obesity Prevention Awards. Last month, the USCM and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America presented Mayor DeMaria with a $100,000 grant to support the city’s “Healthy Me” program.

“Our city is prioritizing improving the health of our residents, and particularly our youngest residents, because we realize that health is perhaps the largest determinant of quality of life,” states Mayor DeMaria, “We see investing in our young people as the single best investment we can make in ensuring the sustained vitality of Everett.”

The “Healthy Me” program is a multi-pronged initiative targeting Everett children and teenagers aged 8-14. In partnership with Malden YMCA’s Youth Enrichment Center, the city will expand existing programming that teaches balanced eating and drinking habits and physical activity. These activities will directly reach more than 500 students and will indirectly impact thousands of their peers, siblings and parents.

Congratulations to the city of Everett and Mayor DeMaria! Healthy Me is an excellent program that will have a lasting impact on their community and drive meaningful results. Visit USMayors.org to learn about the award program and watch a video about Mayor DeMaria’s “Healthy Me” program.