This week, we highlight efforts that communities in California and Utah are taking to increase physical activity among all residents:

• City of Palm Springs to participate in 2009 Desert Fitness Challenge (Source:  The Desert Sun News)   Schools and communities in California are engaged in a friendly competition to increase physical activity among students and residents.

• Utah cities starting to consider lifestyles when approving developments (Source:  The Salt Lake Tribune News)  Utah communities are considering healthier city planning policies. 

Does your community promote physical activity?  Tell us in the comments section.

This week we explore anti-aging effects, Wii Sport use in schools, and low rates of physical fitness in LA youth:

• Exercise shows ‘biological clock’ (Source: UPI.com health News) – According to German researchers, long-term physical activity has an anti-aging effect on the body at the cellular level.

• Wii fitness schools (Source: WBIR.com News) – Carroll County in Maryland is piloting the Wii to get kids excited about exercise – and it seems to be working!

• 25% of L.A. students pass physical fitness test (Source: Los Angeles Daily News) – Meanwhile, just one in four Los Angeles Unified students proved physically fit in the latest test, according to figures released last Monday. District strategies and challenges are discussed.

Do any of these stories affect or relate directly to your organization’s work? Tell us in the comments section.