Obesity Discussion Forums

[Obesity Discussion]

Mississippi: Gov. Haley Barbour (R) on Thursday will host the Health Mississippi Summit, during which experts will discuss proposals to promote proper diet and exercise among state residents, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports. Mississippi leads the nation in rates of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, conditions that in most cases are preventable through proper diet and exercise. Barbour said, "The chronic disease burden in our state dramatically increases the cost of Medicaid and Medicare," adding, "Businesses lose money because employees miss work. We know that we have tens of thousands of people who are in bad health because of their behavior." In addition, Barbour said that he plans to launch a statewide program targeted at children, state employees, church members and other groups, adding that 25 churches will participate in a pilot program to provide members with information on proper diet and exercise (Byrd, AP/Long Island Newsday, 6/11).

[Obesity Discussion]

YMCA joins fight against obesity
Friday, September 22, 2006
The Mississippi Press

OCEAN SPRINGS -- The Mississippi Gulf Coast Blossman YMCA is encouraging members of the Mississippi Gulf Coast to join more than 800 YMCAs nationwide in taking "small steps" to promote active living and healthy eating.

Residents are invited to come to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Blossman YMCA to begin to track their steps from a variety of activities taken either at home. The events will be held Sept. 23-30.

A 2,000-step walk will get under way at 9 a.m. on Saturday from the YMCA in Ocean Springs. The first 150 participants will receive a free pedometer.

From there, starting at 9 a.m. Sept. 25-29, there will be a different route to take each day for the 2,000-step walk.

The goal for America On the Move Week at the YMCA is to reach 150,000 steps along the Gulf Coast and one billion steps across the country.

Events held during America On the Move Week at the YMCA will include a 2,000 Step Kickoff Walk and 2,000-step walks throughout the week, including a Water Walk and a Pet Walk.

YMCA fights Obesity