Governor helps launch initiative to curb obesity
NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen and first lady Andrea Conte joined more than 100 people in a walk around Bicentennial Mall Monday to help launch a new initiative aimed at improving the health of Tennesseans.
“Tennesseans are dying earlier than they should and it’s about time that we get serious about living healthier and preventing health problems before they occur,” Bredesen said.
About one-third of adult Tennesseans don’t exercise at all, which is a large part of the reason the state ranks near the bottom of the nation in health, Bredesen and Health Commissioner Kenneth Robinson said.
Six of every 10 residents are obese or overweight, which has led to a high rate of heart disease, strokes and diabetes. Robinson said he hopes that through the state’s “Better Health: It’s About Time!” campaign, and involvement with a national initiative, Tennessean’s obesity rate will drop to 40 percent by 2010.
“We think that obesity in particular has got a price tag of nearly $2 billion a year in our state,” Bredesen said after the stroll around the downtown park. “Even more importantly, think about the price tag it has on human beings. That’s mothers and fathers who don’t live to see their grandchildren grow up.”
Ricky Tyler, a Health Department employee from Fairview who joined the governor on the walk, said he has lost 20 pounds since the first of the year and feels much better, but still has 10 pounds before reaching his goal weight.
He said the Atkins diet, combined with a little exercise, has done the trick for him and his wife, who has lost 19 pounds.
The governor’s participation in the new initiative is “important to set an example, especially for young people, to show the impact it will have on their lives, not only immediately but for the long term.”
Bredesen and his wife already are setting a good example. The governor runs about 12 miles a week; his wife is a marathon walker.
Robinson said he also wants to decrease the infant mortality rate and number of teenage mothers and to improve the health of minorities.
“Alarmingly, the numbers are worse, the impact of disease is worse, the loss of life is worse among minority populations in the state,” he said.
“… Consequently our campaign will not only blanket the state to reach the general population but will also focus and target significant efforts in communities of color.”
The goal is to reduce the health disparities between minorities and other Tennesseans 50 percent by 2010.
“It’s about time for all Tennesseans to experience better health,” Robinson said.
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On the Net:
Tennessee Department of Health: http://www.state.tn.us/health