COMMUNITIES IMPROVE HEALTH A STEP AT A TIME

Messenger Inquirer
By Susan Finn
November 16, 2003

Dr. Susan Finn is chairwoman of the American Council for Fitness and
Nutrition.

Local communities have played a vital role in shaping America's destiny.
Whether in response to a natural disaster or to a crime epidemic,
communities routinely come together to confront adversity head-on. Today,
some local communities are using these time-tested, grass-roots principles
to conquer a more recent challenge: the problem of obesity in their
hometowns.

In an effort to combat the growing threat of obesity, communities across
America are responding to the trend with localized solutions. While the
federal government recommends solutions nationally, health officials,
elected representatives, school administrators and others are cooperating to
improve health and promote wellness at the local level. Through the
establishment of local health initiatives, communities are banding together
to advocate balanced lifestyles with an emphasis on physical activity and
the value of a pursuing a moderate diet.

The timing of local initiatives could not be better. Recent studies paint a
bleak picture about the state of obesity in this country. Key findings from
U.S. government research show that only 25 percent of students are enrolled
in daily physical education - down from 42 percent in 1990. And the problem
is not specific to children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
says one out of every four adults does not engage in any daily physical
activity.

One community that is working to confront obesity is Owensboro. After the
local hospital conducted research that determined more than one-third of the
town's children were overweight, community leaders came together to address
the issue. The result was the creation of a communitywide summit to identify
and discuss health issues and develop a comprehensive health and fitness
plan with which to move forward. The goal: to address the existing obesity
problem in an effort to make Owensboro the fittest city in the state.

Recognizing that existing school budgets would not accommodate the addition
of health education, the local hospital established a partnership with the
school district to implement a number of initiatives supported by the
Healthy Horizons Steering Committee. Community leaders reviewed several
national programs that had been successful in promoting active lifestyles
and worked with representatives to incorporate particular aspects of each
one as it related to the needs and resources of Owensboro.

Included in the Owensboro overall health initiative are components of
P.E.4Life, Fit for Life and Way to Go Kids. These programs, which seek to
increase awareness regarding the benefits of fitness and nutrition, were
tailored to address Owensboro's specific needs. The response to the
initiative has been extremely positive. In fact, Owensboro received a
$10,000 grant this year to expand upon the important activities it already
has under way.

According to government and private research, Owensboro is on the right track
with its comprehensive health education initiative. Based on extensive
research, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has maintained
that engaging in physical activity while adhering to a nutritious diet is
key to maintaining healthy balance for life.

The proactive efforts of the entire Owensboro community demonstrate that is
not too late to counter obesity; all it takes is for citizens to acknowledge
the problem. Owensboro can and should serve as an example of just how
critical local communities can be in countering the national obesity trend.
One of the world's most famous anthropologists, Margaret Mead, once said
" never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world."

How right she is.