The chubby challenge

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Two of the nation's fattest cities -- Yakima and Yuma, Ariz. -- are going head-to-head, or one could say belly-to-belly, in an effort to trim down.

Much like the reality television show, "The Biggest Loser," teams will be formed. Exercise regimens and diets will follow. Weekly weigh-ins will take place.

The mayors of both cities agreed to an eight-week weight-loss challenge after an online newsletter rated their communities as among the top 10 fattest cities in the country earlier this year.

Yakima was ranked eighth, and Yuma second, according to QualityHealth.com., an online newsletter run by a for-profit marketing company.

Both cities are similar in size, demographics and have agriculture-based economies.

And both cities are in counties with obesity rates above 32 percent -- the national average is about 30 percent.

Each city's intent: Get off the top 10 list.

"I think that my primary goal is to have some fun," said Yakima Mayor Dave Edler. "But secondly, it's to bring awareness to an important issue, and thirdly it's to throw it (back) in the face of the publication that said we were the eighth fattest city in the country. I'm offended.

"I'd like to be on the other side of that, one of the healthiest cities in the country."

Yuma Mayor Larry Nelson concurs.

"If we can encourage others to do this and be health conscious, it's going to help with our (overall) health costs," Nelson said.

Nelson said he's recently lost 15 pounds on his own and hopes to drop another 10 pounds in the competition, while Edler hopes to shed a few pounds too.

"I'm a good 20 pounds overweight," Edler said. "I hide it by wearing loose clothing."

Yakima Herald-Republic Publisher Michael Shepard, who spearheaded the competition with YMCA General Director Bob Romero, said Yuma was chosen because it was the city most similar to Yakima on the top 10 list.

"I said it would be nice if something came out of this," said Shepard, who is also competing. "So I picked up the phone and said (to Romero) is there something we could do?"

Mayors Edler and Nelson each will head their city's teams, which are still being formed. Each team will consist of four men and four women.

The challenge begins Oct. 24 and ends Dec. 19. The team that loses the most weight overall wins. Mayors have yet to decide on a wager.

Evie Thompson of Yakima has already agreed to be on the city of Yakima's team. The 32-year-old mother of three has dropped roughly 40 pounds since November, but says she still has more to lose.

"I'm about halfway there, so hopefully this community challenge will help me get there," she said. "Whatever I lose, I'll just be happy with it."

In addition to the two teams representing the cities, Yakima residents are also being invited to organize their own teams and compete as well.

Teams will compete with one another and the city teams. The winning team could win up to $1,000 to be donated to a charity of its choice and winning team members will receive free YMCA membership. Interested parties have until Oct. 19 to register a team with YMCA.

"Part of what we want to do is some community education as far as exercise, diet and how they're conducting their lives," Romero said. "That's what we're tying to do, have a little fun with this, have a little challenge with Yuma and hopefully have some people that will make some healthy changes."

Having a local competition is inspiring and hopefully will inspire others to conduct healthier lives, said Yakima Heart Center cardiologist David Krueger.

"This is going to be cool because community spirit is an amazing power, 'Hey let's get healthy together,'" he said. "I never underestimate that power."

Obesity, he says, leads to illnesses his office sees on a regular basis: High blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even strokes.

"What we see is a tidal wave of unhealthiness that all of us are a part of," he said. "Obesity is one of the top factors contributing to almost all things I see and take care of. And getting active and eating healthy takes care of almost all of those things."

* Phil Ferolito can be reached at 509-577-7749 or pferolito@yakimaherald.com.

Top 10 Fattest Cities

1. Huntington, W.V. & Ashland, Ky.

2. Yuma, Ariz.

3. Jackson, Miss.

4. San Antonio, Texas

5. Augusta, Ga.

6. El Paso, Texas

7. Scottsbluff, Neb.

8. Yakima

9. Fayetteville, N.C.

10. Little Rock, Ark.

Source: QualityHealth.com

Yakima

Population: 84,300

Fattest city rank: No. 8

Yakima County obesity rate: 32.2 *

Yuma

Population: 120,000

Fattest city rank: No. 2

Yuma County obesity rate: 33.8 **

* Source: Yakima County Health District.

** Source: University of Arizona

Interested in competing?

Contact Laura Menke, YMCA, at 509-972-5276

Cost for individual teams: $75 per team member, $50 per team member if current YMCA member.

Are you obese?

To calculate your body mass index go to: National Institutes of Health Web page at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/