Evanston received recognition Nov. 5 for its work to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy living through first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign.

The city received five gold medals from the National League of Cities for its involvement in Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties, which calls on elected representatives to adopt sustainable initiatives to promote healthy living. Ald. Jane Grover (7th) traveled to Nashville last week to accept the award at the NLC’s annual Congress of Cities and Exposition.

Launched by the first lady in 2010, LMCTC sets forth five categories through which cities, towns and counties can promote healthy lifestyles. Evanston was awarded the gold medal level for each of these categories, which include officially recognizing the Let’s Move! initiative in the area; helping parents make healthy choices; improving the health of schools; increasing opportunities for physical activity; and making healthy food affordable and accessible.

The city’s Health and Human Services department announced that its efforts to educate day cares about the importance of physical activity, collaboration with schools to expand student meal access into the summer and updating play spaces in Evanston were among some of the ways the city achieved this honor.

“We are proud of the award and excited to see the effects of these programs,” said Health and Human Services director Evonda Thomas-Smith in a news release. “The Health and Human Services Department strives to empower our residents to make good, healthy choices that will keep them on the path of wellness.”

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