Blue Zones Project Scottsdale holds its one-year celebration at U of A Scottsdale Center

Approximately 70 community members recently attended Blue Zones Project Scottsdale Year One in Reviewcelebration at the U of A Scottsdale Center. 

Blue Zones Project Scottsdale is a community-wide effort involving businesses, schools and local government working together to create a supportive environment for healthy living. The organization is working toward certification by meeting specific criteria and demonstrating a commitment to sustainable health improvements. Scottsdale is one of more than 70 communities across North America that are currently participating in the program.

During the event, Blue Zones Project Scottsdale leaders celebrated their first-year accomplishments and outlined specific action items in year two that will help the organization work toward certification. 

The U of A is working with Blue Zones on educational programming, which includes an urban gardening workshop hosted by Maricopa County Cooperative Extension. 

“Blue Zones” refers to geographical regions around the world where people statistically live significantly longer than the global average, often reaching very old ages. Researchers have identified common attributes in these areas that contribute to longevity: physical activity, low stress, rich social interactions, a local whole-foods diet and low disease.