SHOW ME THE RECORDS: Obesity in Missouri
Monday, July 5, 2010 | 12:01 a.m. CDT;
updated 2:31 p.m. CDT, Thursday, April 7, 2011
You can learn a lot about your community, state and country. Open records help people keep government in check and help them better understand how government affects their lives.
Each week the Missourian will feature another open record. This week:
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The records: This document from the state's Department of Health and Senior Services presents Missouri's obesity problem and outlines a plan of action through nutrition and physical activity.
Why you’d want them: Obesity is a national epidemic and has been growing exponentially in Missouri the past decade.
Where you get the records: The report is available as a PDF online from the department's website. Select the third item, Obesity State: A Closer Look at Obesity in Missouri
How much it will cost: The information is free.
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Comments
Good stuff to know, thanks for sharing. Perhaps if the rest of the state would following Columbia's lead in promoting cycling and walking, the numbers would start looking a little better. The problem is, people have to want to be active and eat well, and most gave up on that in their young adult years, if they were ever active to begin with.
Yes, we are lucky to live in Columbia which promotes these healthy lifestyle chocies such as active kids programs, parks, trails, bike lanes and a Farmer's Market. Here's the summary of what the article proposes we can do to help discourage obesity:
1. Public policy: Laws, policies and regulations that fund alternative transportation or subsidize farmers’ markets.
2. Community: Access to safe sidewalks and green space.
3. Institutions and organizations: Worksite wellness programs.
4. Interpersonal: Family and peer support and encouragement for a healthier lifestyle.
5. Individual: Personal understanding of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.