The Diabetes Association, Inc. (DAI), Community Development Recreation (CD-REC), the Boys & Girls Club, the Fall River YMCA and Healthy City Fall River issued a public challenge on January 9, 2008, at the CD-REC fitness center, to individuals living or working in the city of Fall River to collectively lose a ton of weight (2,000 lbs). Leaders from a number of organizations and community groups have also challenged their members to participate. This challenge highlights those services offered by participating agencies and encourages people to live healthier lives. The challenge will direct participants to the many low-to-no-cost resources available for keeping healthy including low-cost fitness resources at CD-REC and the Boys and Girls Club, as well as ten walking paths designated by Healthy City Fall River. Participants can sign up, weigh in, participate in activities, get fit, eat well, and potentially win some great prizes over the five-month challenge. The Centers for Disease Control conducted a study that demonstrated that being more active, losing a minimum of 5% of bodyweight and eating a balanced diet can reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%. Click here for the Herald News article about the news conference. More information and instructions on how to participate in the challenge can be found at www.diabetesma.org.

(Top row, left) Diabetes Association Program Director Bill Daponte smiles as Lenny Kaplan talks to NBC Channel 10 Healthbeat Reporter Barbara Morse before the news conference. (Top row, center) President Susan Pacheco, Grace Pedreira and Ines Bates of the Portuguese-American Women's Association talk about their challenge to the Portuguese community who suffer disproportionately higher diabetes rates. (Top row, right) Mayor Robert Correia leads off the event by talking about the impact of diabetes on the health of the community before joking with City Councillor Leo Pelletier about their own weight loss efforts. (Middle row, left) Boys and Girls Club director Peter McCarthy talks about the importance of fitness for the City's youth. (Middle row, center) Dr. Weed, Amy Jones, Jamison Souza, Grace Gerling, Bill Daponte, Councillor Pelletier and Health and Human Services Director Michael Coughlin listen to Mayor Correia. (Middle row, right) Mayor Correia and Bill Daponte listen as Healthy City Fall River coordinator Dave Weed points out the many good places to walk in the City. (Bottom row, left) CD-REC director Grace Gerling, Mayor Correia and Bill Daponte enjoy Councillor Pelletier's humor. (Bottom row, center) B.M.C.Durfee High School Career & Technology teacher Susan Dunse describes what she is doing to engage school staff in the challenge. (Bottom row, right) Mayor Correia accepts the first Fitness Challenge membership card from CD-REC program director Jamison Souza, right. (Photos by Melissa Duclos)