By Joseph A. Curtatone (The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.) The first annual Mayor's Shape Up Somerville Fitness Challenge got off to a great start this weekend, with a kickoff event held at Somerville High School on Saturday. More than 500 residents, business leaders and community members turned out – on the first day of spring, no less – to sign up to participate in a Team Challenge, take the Health and Wellness Participation Pledge to increase physical activity and make healthy eating choices, or simply to take part in an afternoon full of family-friendly recreation and fitness programs, peruse the indoor farmers markets, or visit a variety of booths promoting local organizations.

The Fitness Challenge is a dynamic way to promote healthier lifestyle choices and smarter eating habits, encourage activity and civic engagement, and a chance to learn more about the Somerville community, its businesses, and its residents. Participants have two options: take the "Team Challenge," which measures weight loss and BMI scores over the course of the two month program; or sign a non-competitive "Health and Wellness Participation Pledge," by agreeing to increase physical activity, make healthier eating choices, and participate in one or more of the program's main events (for a full list of events, visit www.somervillema.gov/challenge).

And let me be clear, this isn't just a program designed to promote weight loss. Shape Up Somerville has never been about putting the community on a diet. Shape Up Somerville

strives to influence positive social change by educating residents about the benefits of healthy eating and active living, and working as a community to create policies and programs to support and sustain those changes.

Over the course of the two-month program, participants can take advantage of discounts at local fitness centers, businesses, and Shape Up Somerville approved restaurants. We've also organized a variety of events and programs, through the Recreation Department programming to City-sponsored events, to help promote active living.

As I noted in my column a few weeks ago, we are going to be working harder than ever to continue to evolve our Shape Up Somerville program throughout the City, and to support the First Lady's Let's Move initiative, launched in January. Research reveals staggering statistics about our nation's fight against childhood obesity; the current generation of youth is in danger of living shorter lives than their parents, and is at increased risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

We've seen that success can be achieved through effective collaboration with school and food services staff to institute healthier food options in schools, and by improving pedestrian safety infrastructure and providing incentives for walking and biking to work and school. However, as the First Lady noted at her Let's Move kickoff event, "It will take all of us…to help our kids get, and stay healthy." In order to raise visibility, we want to get everyone involved, and engage the entire Somerville community – men, women and children of all ages and backgrounds – in this citywide Fitness Challenge.

In the spirit of engaging all sectors of the community, the City and Somerville Public Schools are also partnering with local cookbook author Sally Sampson to help promote "ChopChop: the Fun Cooking Magazine for Families." The quarterly magazine written by Ms. Sampson includes healthy snack and meal recipes, games, and healthy eating tips for children. It will be distributed to all families of students in the Somerville Public Schools, free of charge, after April break. ChopChop has already received sponsorship from all major Boston-area hospitals and private physicians' offices, and though the heaviest concentration of magazines will be throughout Massachusetts, it will be launched in over 30 states across the country.

We're excited to be able to work with Sally and with the Somerville Public Schools as we work to further the tenets of SUS, and I am extremely eager to begin working with my own Fitness Challenge Team. As the warmer weather approaches, I encourage all community members to take advantage of the terrific programs we have to offer – whether through the Fitness Challenge, or simply by setting goals for yourself to utilize the Community Path, our community parks and gardens, and our local Farmers Markets, which begin next month.

Together, we can make a difference in our community, and in the lives of our children.

Let's get out there and start doing it.