| June
4, 2003
Little Rock --
“The Shape
We’re In,” a five-part newspaper series on physical
activity and obesity, is available for distribution from
the Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services. The
series is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation and focuses a spotlight on America’s
obesity crisis. Each
day of the series explores different aspects of the
problem – nutrition and physical education in schools,
the influence of community design, how the medical
community is responding – and highlights innovative
solutions.
According
to the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance system (BRFSS),
37% of Arkansas adults are overweight and 22 percent are
obese. The obesity rates keep rising in Arkansas and
these rates are higher than the national rates of 20
percent in 2001.
The
BRFSS also reports that more than a third (36 percent)
of Arkansas adults report physical activity patterns
that are classified by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) as insufficient and 15 percent can
be said to be physically inactive in their daily lives.
More than three quarters (78 percent) of Arkansas adults
reported not eating enough of the recommended fruits and
vegetables.
Dr.
Jennifer Dillaha, ADH Chronic Disease and Healthy Aging
Program Medical Director, says, “Obesity and physical
inactivity are major problems that are reaching epidemic
proportions in Arkansas.
It is critical that we make our citizens aware of
these important concerns.”
The
series can be accessed at www.krtdirect.com/shape/.
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