Mayor Peter Corroon is strolling through county parks from West Valley City to Draper to press for physical fitness among Salt Lake Valley's increasingly obese population.

"It's a small step toward improving your health," he said.

The Salt Lake Valley Health Department urged residents to slip on their walking shoes and step up their fitness level this month as part of the annual "Weigh Active and Healthy" initiative.

The goal is 30 minutes of exercise at least four days a week. But it also includes a weekly walk in the park at venues valleywide.

These public jaunts began at Liberty Park on July 9.

But the one-mile strolls soon will spread to parks in Sandy, Millcreek, Murray and South Jordan.

The next is scheduled Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the West Valley Family Fitness Center.

The Health Department isn't interested in joy walking. Officials are battling an obesity problem that ails about 58 percent of county residents, according to department data.

Combine the bulging belt line with a sedentary lifestyle and residents are priming themselves for high cholesterol, diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension and other medical maladies, officials say.

Even Corroon says he has a little weight to lose.

"Our health issues are becoming more and more of a problem in Salt Lake County," he said.

"It's time for all of us to get out and be more active and healthy."

jstettler@sltrib.com