It’s not often that the Center for Consumer Freedom has something good to say about politicians (given their usual “knowledge” of what’s best for you), but it’s worth giving kudos to Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. Just yesterday, The Salt Lake Tribune reported, Anderson launched the newest incarnation of the city’s “Salt Lake City Gets Fit Together program, which encourages residents to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, four days a week.“
To further promote physical activity and fight obesity, the city’s program includes a website where teams of residents can sign up and record the number of minutes they’ve spent exercising. It seems to be off to a rousing start — 97 teams have signed up so far, including the Hazardous Waists, Sweat Hogs, and Burnin’ Blubber.
The fitness program comes hot on the heels of last week’s news that very few states require physical education sufficient for children’s activity needs. With all the evidence that it’s fitness, not fatness, that affects health the most, it’s good that one city is sending the right message by focusing on what actually works, instead of BMI report cards or ridiculous fat taxes.
