WV Walks: 30+ Minutes Daily

Article:  You Make the Choice:  Fit or Fat


Several years ago, Covert Bailey wrote a book titled Fit or Fat, which stated that regular physical activity is far more important than weight. Regular exercise is the best way to improve the quality of your life, no matter what your weight status. Overweight people will benefit as much from walking as will normal-weight people.

Many people are concerned about their weight. About one quarter of the local population is considered obese, and two-thirds are overweight. Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 20 years. During the past 13 years, the average American has gained 9 pounds. This news is frightening -- we are gaining between 1 and 2 pounds per year.

It is little wonder that we are gaining weight. Our environment, policies, and resources make weight gain easy. One can make the point that we live in a toxic, "obesogenic" culture that provides ample opportunity to eat high-calorie foods and little opportunity to move. For example, consider the importance of the automobile. We are devoted to maintaining our roads, which in West Virginia is no small order. People are outraged when a large pothole develops on Beechurst Avenue. But, when we have an epidemic of obesity, diabetes and blood pressure among our youth, society simply points a finger and says that young people (or their parents) should be exercising more self-control and not being so lazy.

The answers to the problems of overweight and obesity are not easy. Thanks to our government and business leadership, the Morgantown area is blessed with many wonderful resources that make exercise and walking easier. Our trails, parks, fitness centers and sidewalks are quite good. However, limitations will continue to exist until we make major improvements. We need better access to the trail from where we live and go to school. We need a safe connector between the two WVU campuses. We need more and better sidewalks that invite people to walk, instead of contending with fast-moving traffic a few feet away. How do you safely cross Van Voorhis Road if you are walking to one of the fine restaurants from the Health Sciences Center complex, no matter how fit you are? How do you safely cross Beechurst Avenue to reach the trail from downtown Morgantown if you are accompanying a young child or someone with limited mobility?

The good news is that walking can promote good health, even if we are overweight. Research at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas, indicates that a low level of fitness is equal to and possibly more important than the risk factors of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity in causing heart disease and premature death. Local doctors are beginning to see that being sedentary is a HUGE risk for premature disability and illness. The conclusion is clear: start walking, and stick with it.

Remember that even 10 minutes of walking per day represents 5 pounds of fat lost in one year. Everyone has 10 minutes. We recommend walking for at least 30 minutes—the time equivalent to just one TV program. Walking for 30 minutes daily can make a difference in body weight, as long as you do it consistently.

The topic of The Dominion Post Lecture Series for May 2 will be "Avoiding injury, caring for minor aches and pains." This program will be presented by nationally acclaimed John Spiker, the President and CEO of HealthWorks. The 5 pm to 6 pm session is free and open to the public. It will be held on the ground level of the Monongalia County Health Department, located behind Centra Bank on Medical Center Drive. A free health screening (blood lipids, weight, height, blood pressure) is also available. Call Dr. Amol at 293-1717 for a screening appointment.

Today, there is another "Rails to Tails" Dog Walk at 1:00 PM at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater. Then on Saturday, May 7th at 11 AM, join us for the eighth annual Mental Health Association Race-Walk in the Ruby Memorial Hospital parking lot. Following the walk will be the closing ceremony for the WV WALKS campaign. Joining us for this very special walk and ceremony will be West Virginia's First Lady Gayle Manchin. Come out and support a worthwhile cause and spend time with our very special guest.
 

Isn’t it time you started walking?