I would love to believe. I really would. I don't always want to assume the worst. But after ten years, I'd be a fool if I believed a Department of Health study on a Department of Health policy. It reminds me of the Department of Transportation study citing how effective Department of Transportation policy is...

Are New Yorkers getting healthier? Findings from the City’s Department of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation indicate a recent change in dangerous trends regarding life expectancy and childhood obesity rates.

Mayor Bloomberg announced today life expectancy has hit a record high of 80.9 years for a baby born in the five boroughs in 2010. The national average is 78.7 years. The DOH also reports the City's infant mortality rate hit an all-time low of 4.7 deaths per 1,000 live births last year.

Also today, a new report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows a 5.5% decline in the number of obese schoolchildren from 2007 to 2011 in New York City. It’s the first drop in 30 years. Mayor Bloomberg credits aggressive anti-obesity policies and anti-smoking efforts for the changes. What do you say?

What’s your reaction to the rise in life expectancy and the decline in childhood obesity rates? What do you attribute it to? Do you notice a positive change in the health of your fellow New Yorkers?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

Hi John,

I can't believe these polls of any kind coming from this administration at all. This is a joke. This mayor will go to any lengths to add anything and everything to his imaginary legacy. So this must be the reason for adding meat to the school lunches once again. Do you think maybe it's because the kids have been complaining since they changed the menu. Good god please spare us all with the nonsense. The school system is a complete failure and that's the absolute truth.

Thank you John,
maxxiee
mp

John,

From what I understand, according to this report, the obesity rate for Hispanic and African American children has remained the same. It's not that we don't know how to eat the right foods, it's that the WRONG foods are cheaper to buy. You won't find a salad on the McDonalds dollar menu, but you'll find fries, shakes, burgers and McNuggets on there!

What America needs to do is make healthy foods cheaper than junk foods -- maybe then, people will learn to eat healthier. We all know what gets us fat, but do we also discipline ourselves to eating healthier?

And once you learn to eat right, type-2 diabetes can go down, and health insurance premiums might also go down! It worked for me!

Dina and Edwin from Throggs Neck

I am sure others have said this -- people in other parts of the country are literally dying (early) of boredom.

Garrett

John,

I don't put any credence in government conducted or sponsored studies. And I certainly don't believe anything spewed forth by Bloomberg and his minions.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

Fast food is as colorful as cartoons. Kids and small minds love both of them.

MZ from Richmond Hill Queens.

We were sent to school with sandwiches, snacks and fruit. We weren't fat or overweight at all. But we were active. We didn't sit in our rooms playing video games. Blaming what out children eat is only half the problem, the other half is getting them active. Todays technology has hurt our children more than what they eat, in my personal opinion. Get them away from in front of the TV.

Harriet
SI NY

This is absolute BULL! You are joking with us, right? If not, then you insulting the intelligence of New Yorkers. There's no way these "statistics" are accurate or even relevant. Bloomberg buys his publicity and if he could, he would have his shills say he walks on water and turns water into wine. No one, but no one is healthier because of Bloomberg. Many people are a damned sight worse off because of him and his elitist policies.

Frances
East Village

I have lost significant weight since Bloomberg took office. 2 of his initiatives have helped so much.... Calorie counts on menus and the "use NYC as your gym campaign." Calorie counts help me make better food choices and meet my goals. I miss them so much when I leave the city. The "move NYC " campaign reminds me to get out of the subway a stop early and walk or take the stairs! I love this NYC healthy city attitude.

Shana
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

The information is out there but are people paying attention?? hell noooooo, food is highly addictive and it takes hard work and determination to fight it, I eat healthy and work out, my own personal choice.

Carmen
Bay Ridge

Hi John,

Awesome topic! Let's talk about something really positive. Way to go NYC!!!

While some are expressing surprise, I am not sure if they are giving proper weight (pun intended) to the affect that City and privately supported programs are making on the public. Smoking bans, nutrition posting labeling/requirements, anti-sugar/soda campaigns, and live-well at-work programs have ALL had an impact in the overall weight loss. Kudos to these City programs and those private company in NYC making a difference in our lives.

:-)

Tommy
Park Slope

I think New Yorkers being healthier has to do with two main factors, the media and Michelle Obama. With the influx of health-focused TV and film documentaries centered around the ills of fast food and the companies that make it (Fast Food Nation, King Corn, Food Inc, HBO's Obesity in America series), I think the reach of basic nutrition has finally gotten to those in more marginalized communities. I also think Michelle Obama's Just Move campaign has brought the problems of obesity more prominently into the public eye, and specifically to those who were ignored.

Zoë

since the mist up the smokin at the CUNY schools i significantly stop smoking cigarettes. Like I hardly ever touch 1 now

Jovan from corona

kudo's to bloomberg...a good start,,but now lets get to the meat...burger king, shake shack,mcdonalds, chinese food and every fast food joint in new york,,,ban em...ban em ..ban em....videos games...ban em...iphones...ban em....get up...eat better...work out...get moving and eat better new york....and witness the change..like the previous caller ...Lawrence from fort greene stated...yes,,,we're living longer however..we're the fattest, sickest,most emotionally and mentally ill country in the world...yes its a start,,,however we have MILES to go..im a raw foodist ..54 yrs old and look 35...

Larry

I quit smoking several years ago. I started exercising and eat healthier. None of it has ANYTHING to do with Mayor Bloomberg (although I do approve of some of his health initiatives). I can credit my motivation, Chantix, Dodge YMCA staff who made working out fun for me (Alma, you rock!!!), but not the mayor.

BK

When I was a child, the nuns had us out in the yard for recess for about as much time as we had at our desks! There's one clue to fitness AND high achievement!

Maria,
Morningside Hts.