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Health Summit Tackles Obesity
Linh Bui
Story Created:
Oct 21, 2009 at 4:23 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Oct 21, 2009 at 10:32 PM CDT
Obesity is a growing problem in America. It increases risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
"Basically, obesity causes most of the deaths within the United States and particularly within this region. It's imperative that we address obesity,” says Alice Yoder, Director of Community Health at Lancaster General Health.
Middle Georgians took action Wednesday at a Regional Health Summit at Macon State College. Representatives from seven Central Georgia counties attended the summit and participants included educators, health care providers and local leaders.
Guest Speaker Alice Yoder discussed raising awareness, changing behaviors and implementing policies. She says solutions should improve nutrition and increase physical activity.
"There's no magic pill that can be given for obesity so we need a variety of organizations and individuals to come together and look at solutions to address it,” Yoder says.
Yoder also spoke about childhood obesity. David Gowan, Director of Risk Management for the Bibb County School District, says childhood obesity is why they have introduced a proactive program called "Safe Routes to School."
"That is a federal program that encourages children to walk and bike to school in a safe environment under adult supervision,” Gowan says.
He says the program is in five schools and will be expanded.
Through the summit, each county developed a specific plan for its area.
Greg Dent is President and CEO of Community Health Works, which organized the summit. He says, "We know what we need to do. It's important to mobilize and energize the local communities and to harness that power that's there to make change."
Organizers say they plan to make the health summit an annual event.
The Middle Georgia counties that participated in the summit include: Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach and Twiggs.
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