Let's Move! Rankings: Knoxville, Knox County Ranked No. 1 in Nation June 27, 2014 - The National League of Cities has recognized Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett for recent completion of key health and wellness goals for Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC).

Both governments rank No. 1 in the nation among 440 cities, towns and counties participating in the initiative.

LMCTC is a major component of First Lady Michelle Obama's comprehensive Let's Move! initiative, which is dedicated to solving the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. LMCTC calls upon local elected officials to adopt sustainable and holistic policies that improve communities' access to healthy, affordable food and opportunities for physical activity through five goal areas.

Knoxville and Knox County are currently tied in the LMCTC No. 1 national ranking with four other cities: Beaumont, Texas; Columbia, S.C.; Fontana, Calif.; and Orlando, Fla.

Knoxville and Knox County had been ranked No. 1 nationally in 2012 but had slipped down the list due to only having a "bronze medal" in Goal III: Smart Servings for Students.

This was upgraded to a "gold medal" status when Knoxville and Knox County submitted information on the N.E.A.T. (Nutrition, Exercise, Activity Training) program. N.E.A.T. is a joint effort between the Knox County Health Department, City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department and the Community Action Committee to offer healthy snacks in the City's After School and Summer Playground programs at its 12 recreation centers.

Of the students screened in Knox County Schools since 2009, children who returned either obese or overweight results have dropped from 39 percent to 33.2 percent.

For more information about LMCTC and Knoxville and Knox County's accomplishments, visit www.HealthyCommunitiesHealthyFuture.org.