By Alexander Nguyen (Patch Staff)

REDONDO BEACH, CA — Residents in Redondo Beach are healthier now since implementing the Blue Zones Project in 2010, according to an index released Monday.

Redondo Beach saw a noticeable decrease in the number of smokers and obese or overweight residents as well as a drop in significant stress in the city, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

According to the index:

• The number of overweight citizens dropped nine points to 50.8 percent, while the national rate rose four points to 63.7 percent in 2015. The number of obese residents came in at less than half the national average, at 12.1 percent compared with 28.1 percent nationally.
• Smoking declined more than 17 percent, bringing the percentage of smokers in the city to 8.9 percent, compared with 18.8 percent nationally. 
• Daily significant stress dropped 7.5 percent.

"It's very rare you get the opportunity to address community health issues directly and utilize a world-class measurement tool—the Well-Being Index—to chart your progress, but Blue Zones Project made it possible," said Susan Burden, chief executive officer of Beach Cities Health District. "The dramatic health outcomes validate the years of hard work and sustained commitment to health exhibited by our entire community."

Blue Zones Project is a nationwide well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to environment, policy, and social networks. Founded by National Geographic Fellow and best-selling author Dan Buettner and leveraging public and private partnerships, Blue Zones Project draws upon more than 200 evidence-based practices to help restaurants, schools, churches, and worksites make sustainable changes that encourage healthier choices.

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