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Fight Fat, One Step at a Time
Sept. 25, 2009
By Min-Fang Huang, AgriLife Communications intern
Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes Texans. Thicker waistlines, higher body mass indexes, and heavier weights are a reality in the Lone Star State. According to the Texas Health Institute, Texas ranks as the nation’s 14th “fattest” state.
Texans who don't want to be part of the statistic can reduce their weight and improve their health through exercise, education, and state programs such as Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s Walk Across Texas. With small changes in daily activities and mindsets, healthy-minded Texans can make a big difference for themselves and their families.
Why does body weight matter?
Unless preventive measures are taken, experts say two of every five adult Texans will be obese by 2040.A good way to look at obesity is to define it as “unhealthy.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines obesity as a body weight that is greater than “what is generally considered healthy for a given height.”
Obesity, and even the tendency to be overweight, is related to many chronic diseases such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart diseases, and stroke. The CDC estimates that 75 percent of health care costs can be attributed to such chronic diseases each year. Those health care costs impact every Texan—obese or thin. The Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts estimates that Texas Medicare and Medicaid spend more than $5 billion each year on obese Texans.
Adults aren't the only ones struggling with body fat. Experts estimate that one in three children in Texas are obese or overweight.
Dr. Carol A. Rice, AgriLife Extension Service program leader for Family Development and Resource Management, said that American children now consume more cheap and high-calorie food such as soda, and stay in front of the television longer than any previous generation. She believes these factors contribute to their body weight.
“Obese children have more chance to become obese adults,” Rice said. “If children can maintain healthy weight when they are young, they will be more likely to maintain healthy weight when they grow up.”
In today’s economy, eating healthy food may not be an option for some families. A report published by the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a non-profit research organization, stated that many families choose high energy, low-cost foods because they cannot afford healthier foods.
“People living in poverty are less likely to get access to nutritious and healthy food,” said Dr. Jenna Anding, associate professor of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, and AgriLife Extension program leader.
Eating, Educating, and Exercising to a Leaner Texas
The CDC suggests that healthy food choices and regular physical activities are keys to maintaining a healthy weight. Federal nutrition programs can provide children with nutritious food, but parents can do many things on their own to improve their children’s health. “We have programs, such as the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, to teach families with limited resources how to shop and prepare nutritious food,” Anding said. “For example, we teach people the nutrition facts of food and food handling.”
In addition, regular physical activity can help reduce weight. Even easy physical activities, such as walking, can help achieve weight loss goals.
“The moderate and consistent physical activities can help people reduce weight. That’s why we developed the program, Walk Across Texas,” Rice said. “We hope to help people establish the behavior of regular physical activities. In addition, walking is easy and cheap, and it is less likely to cause injuries.”
Walking also has few limitations in locations, partners, or time. People can walk alone or with friends, in their backyard or in parks, in the morning or in the evening. It all depends on personal choice.
For Texans who need extra motivation, support, or extra time with friends, Walk Across Texas is a good option. According to the program’s Facebook page, Walk Across Texas is a great way to get involved with a team that can help members achieve their fitness goals. The program was created by AgriLife Extension Service to help Texans make regular physical activity a part of their routine. The goal of every team is to walk a combined total of 830 miles, the distance from one side of the state to the other.
The Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The journey across the Lone Star State is a great first step toward a lifetime of fitness.
For more information:
- Pedometers: Motivating Fitness
http://fcs.tamu.edu/health/Health_Education_Rural_Outreach/Health_Hints/2004/fall_2004/pedometers.php - Sole Facts
http://walkacrosstexas.tamu.edu/pdf/health_breaks/sole_facts_handout.pdf - Fitness, Food and Water
http://www.girlshealth.gov/fitness/started/food.cfm
About the author:
Min-Fang Huang is a graduate student in the Master of Science Program in Science and Technology Journalism, and is currently serving an internship in AgriLife Communications.
9/21/09
About the college:
With an enrollment of almost 6,700 students in 14 academic departments, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees and has a faculty of nearly 400 members, including two Nobel laureates. Research programs include food sustainability and safety, human and animal health, genetics, renewable natural resources and bioenergy. Mark Hussey is Vice Chancellor and Dean.
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