We all know that we should eat healthy and be active, but sometimes this is hard to do.
Consider this:
- In some Philadelphia neighborhoods, it is easier to find orange drinks than an actual orange.
- In many parts of town, it is safer to travel from home to school in a car than on foot—even though they are only a quarter mile apart.
The good news!
Through the City of Philadelphia's Get Healthy Philly initiative, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and its partners are working to make it easier for Philadelphians to eat healthy and be active. We envision a city where healthy eating and active living are a normal part of everyone's routine.
We invite you to learn more about what Get Healthy Philly is doing in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.
Eat Healthy
Why action is needed
Cheap Junk Food
Temple University looked at how Philadelphia children spend their money in corner stores on the way to and from school. Guess what? On average, children purchased over 350 calories of junk food for just over a dollar. Find out more.
- In Philadelphia, nearly 25% of children and 30% of adults get one or fewer servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
- Residents in low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by a lack of grocery stores and experience higher levels of fast-food consumption and reduced intake of fruits and vegetables.
- Lack of access to affordable, healthy food is a well-documented risk factor for obesity and other poor health outcomes.
What we're doing
Get Healthy Philly is making it easier for Philadelphians to get healthy and affordable foods:
- Healthy Corner Stores
Helping over 500 Philadelphia corner stores sell and promote healthy, affordable foods. - Farmers' Markets
Adding 10 new farmers' markets in underserved communities. - Philly Food Bucks
Providing SNAP (food stamp) recipients with a $2 coupon to purchase more fruits and vegetables for every $5 spent at farmers’ markets. - After School Meals
Bringing tasty and nutritious snacks and meals to after-school parks and recreation programs. - School Wellness Councils
Empowering teachers, students, school nurses, food service workers, and families to work together to remove junk food from school stores, classroom parties, and school fundraisers. - Innovative Strategies in School Food
Working with experts to bring healthier and tastier fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods to Philadelphia public schools.
Find out more
First Lady Michelle Obama Brings "Let's Move" to Philadelphia
- Farm to City works to unite communities, families, and farmers year-round by providing access to healthy, locally grown food.
- The Food Trust works to make healthy food available to all by providing nutrition education and greater availability of healthy, affordable food.
- The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger works to build the capacity of food pantries and soup kitchens, to help eligible Philadelphia residents obtain SNAP (food stamps) benefits, and to advocate for policies on the local, state and federal levels that help to reduce hunger.
- Let's Move is a national campaign started by First Lady Michelle Obama. Let’s Move works to solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight.
Be Active
Why action is needed
Get Moving!
To be healthy, children and adults need regular physical activity. Children should aim for 60 minutes (1 hour) daily, and most adults need a minimum of 2.5 hours a week or more for greater health benefits.
- One quarter of children in Philadelphia do not get sustained physical activity (30 minutes) even once a week and nearly half of adults exercise less than 3 times per week.
- Over half of Philadelphians report that they never use City parks and recreation facilities.
- While Philadelphia has the highest rate of bike commuting among large US cities, nearly 60% of residents drive to work and transit incentives are underutilized.
What we're doing
- Active Transit
Promoting public transit, walking, and biking to and from work; encouraging use of federal commuter tax benefits. - Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
Working to make 100% of the City of Philadelphia biking- and walking-friendly. - Healthy Planning
Ensuring that the City's comprehensive plan, "Philadelphia 2035," includes opportunities for physical activity in its land use and zoning policies. - Safe Routes to Schools
Providing bicycle and pedestrian safety education to every 2nd and 5th grade Philadelphia public school student. - Physical Activity in Schools
Enhancing school curriculums by adding classroom movement breaks, socialized recess, and other opportunities to be active during the school day.
Give Respect, Get Respect
Find out more
Youth Physical Activity Guidelines Toolkit
This toolkit can be used by anyone who promotes youth physical activity, including families, community leaders, physical activity coordinators, and physical education and health education teachers.
