Obesity on the run Mayor proclaims Saturday 'healthier living day'
NEWS JOURNAL STAFF REPORT
Last year, two reports on the state of obesity - for adults and children - in Clinton County shocked residents and health care professionals.
A group was formed in response to those results, Clinton County on the Move, in the hopes that awareness would spark a movement to end obesity in the county.
On Saturday, the group will hold its second annual healthier living day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clinton County YMCA, 700 Elm St. The day's events are free and open to the public. Wilmington Mayor David Raizk has proclaimed the day to be Clinton County On the Move to Healthier Living for 2007 Day.
Clinton County on the Move co-chairman Susan Holladay, OSU Extension agent for family and consumer science education in Clinton County, and Bob Derge, Clinton County health commissioner, are excited to have the committee put on this event for the second year in a row.
Holladay said, "There have been many healthier living awareness activities in the past year. In addition to the kick-off event, we presented a lesson on healthy eating for over 600 in Clinton County second graders. On April 3, 2006, all of the Clinton County school districts hosted a very informative meeting describing the balanced nutritional makeup of school food and the ongoing efforts to promote healthy eating. Also, we sponsored an educational display about healthy living in Clinton County on June 3, 2006 for A-Star. We were able to share very important healthier living information at this well attended company picnic."
Area residents will be able to participate in a variety of events. Interactive booths at the healthier living day will include: body mass index measurement, body fat analysis, and healthy cooking demonstration and fitness ideas. With the attendance at last year's kick off event it was clear to group members that this county has a keen and growing interest in this issue.
"Health concerns around healthy diet and body weight is becoming one of the most important health issues for now and the long term future. We need to become a population that is properly nourished, adequately active and has a healthy body weight. Otherwise, higher health care costs, much more chronic illness and early death, will be our tragic future," Derge said.
The proclamation by the mayor encourages county adults to pledge to lose seven pounds in 2007, as well as children to improve their BMI [body mass index] to below 95.
It also said that Clinton County On the Move will establish a BMI study in 2007 of local elementary-aged children and track their BMI through high school.
Donations to Clinton County On the Move can be mailed to Clinton County Foundation P.O. Box 831, Wilmington, c/o National Bank & Trust, attention Janet Dixon.
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