STATE RELEASES PLAN FOR FIGHTING OBESITY, KEEPING IOWANS HEALTHY

November 16, 2006
By Amy Lorentzen
Associated Press

Following in the footsteps of other states, the Iowa Department of Public Health on Thursday announced a new physical fitness and nutrition plan in an effort to reduce citizens' waistlines. The Iowans Fit for Life plan brings together various state agencies, public and private organizations and businesses from across the state to work together to promote quality of life and reduce obesity-related diseases.

"It takes all of us working together, from schools to scouts, businesses to local government, faith-based to civic groups," said state health Director Mary Mincer Hansen. "The Iowans Fit for Life partnership will be essential to turn the tide." Funding comes from the Iowa Legislature, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and contributions from Iowans Fit for Life partners. The effort comes at a time when more than 60 percent of Iowa adults are overweight or obese, Mincer Hansen said. She added that only 46 percent of Iowa adults get enough physical activity, and just 20 percent eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables.

On top of that, she said obesity-related problems cost Iowans $783 million annually. Some of the approaches state officials touted include encouraging the design of better walking and biking routes in communities, creating safe environments for children to walk to school, providing more access to healthy food choices in schools and workplaces, and encouraging employers to make it easier for working moms to breast feed. As part of the effort, six communities were awarded a total of $60,000 in grants for nutrition and physical activity programs at elementary schools. Those receiving grants were: Adair County Board of Health/Adair County Home Care, Community Health Partners in Hawarden, Dallas County Public Nursing Service, Eastern Iowa Community College District in Davenport, Healthy Henry County Communities and Washington County Public Health Home Care.

"A majority of our counties have identified obesity as a serious health problem; therefore, it's essential our children, adults and seniors have the opportunities to get active and eat healthy," Mincer Hansen said at a news conference in Johnston, where more than 100 partners were meeting to brainstorm details of the plan.Mark Fenton, a walking advocate and former host of the PBS television series "America's Walking," was helping shape the plan. He said it goes to the root of the obesity problem by creating a better environment and changing social norms and policies "so that we live in a different place that actually encourages healthier lifestyles." "We don't just tell people eat better, exercise more," he said.

Susan Finn, chairwoman of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition, said she's seen many programs implemented over the past couple of years as the nation starts to better understand its major health issues. "A great many more of states and local communities ... take on total fitness programs to deal with all components to make people fit," she said. "We're seeing this all over." In Ohio, a multiyear statewide health and wellness initiative aims to increase awareness and improve the state's chronic disease rates. Texans have access to a Cardiovascular Health and Wellness program through the Texas Department of State Health Services. In Indiana, the state operates a Community Nutrition/Obesity Prevention Division that works to help citizens incorporate healthy habits in their lives.

Finn said government programs work well because of their broad reach."Government has a very important role to play helping people be responsible and helping them to make choices," she said.U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who has championed school nutrition programs and other health initiatives, said Iowa is "making a positive, upfront investment in helping combat chronic disease."On the Net:Iowa Department of Human Services: http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/American Council for Fitness and Nutrition: http://www.acfn.org/