Louisville, KY Confronts Obesity From All Angles

A grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has Louisville thinking differently. "...it's not just about smart growth, it’s not just about transportation, it's not just about parks or better nutrition, it’s about all of those things and more."

1 minute read

June 14, 2011, 2:00 PM PDT

By Ken Firestone


The quote above is from Mary Lou Northern, senior adviser to Louisville mayor Greg Fischer, in the New York Times.

A majority of Louisville residents are overweight, and the rate physical activity outside of work has fallen in recent times, even in the face of campaigns to encourage walking and biking. This is in a state where Kentucky Fried Chicken got its start, and fast food companies are lobbying to allow the use of food stamps in restaurants.

Against this, the city, working with nonprofit groups such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The YMCA of Greater Louisville have been working to overcome the long term changes to the environment, both built and social that led in part to the obesity epidemic. Most city agencies, from the mayor's office to the sewer department have been involved. These efforts have included improving and widening sidewalks, establishing bicycle lanes and creating more pocket parks and community gardens. The transit authority has added bike racks to its buses. And some corner stores are adding fresh fruits and vegetables through the efforts of the YMCA.

Thanks to Ken Firestone

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight