FROM THE MAYOR...
A couple of months ago I was honored to be part of a St. Clair County delegation that traveled to Washington D.C. to attend a symposium that discussed the problem of poor nutrition and physical inactivity in today’s society. Other attendees included representatives from the St. Clair County Health Department, Southwestern Illinois College, the YMCA of Southwest Illinois, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
One of the many things we learned at the symposium is that over the past 20 years, unhealthy behaviors, including physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits, have led to an epidemic of obesity and related chronic disease in the United States. Today, obesity is associated with a series of chronic health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, colon cancer, gallbladder disease, arthritis, sleep disturbances, and breathing problems. Our nation is in the middle of a serious health crisis that reduces the quality of life for millions of Americans. If we fail to curb the obesity epidemic, the youth of today will likely have a lower life expectancy than their parents, which will reverse a trend that has been increasing for nearly two
centuries.
Here are a few startling statistics worth highlighting:
• For children born in the U.S. in 2000, one in three will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
• 65% of all people age 20 and older are overweight or obese. Since 1991, the prevalence of obesity among adults has increased by more than 75%.
• More than 50% of U.S. adults do not get enough physical activity to make a difference in their health.
• During 2005, a total of only 36% of high school students met currently recommended levels of physical activity five days a week.
• During 2005, 80% of high school students had not eaten five or more fruits and vegetables daily and 67% did not attend physical education classes daily.
• Based on figures from 2000, health problems related to obesity cost American society an estimated $117 billion a year due to direct health care costs, as well as the indirect economic costs of lost productivity. While this figure is alarming, what is even more disturbing is that hospital costs related to childhood obesity alone have tripled in the last 20 years.
Although chronic diseases are prevalent in our society, much of the chronic disease burden is preventable. Health care must begin at home with proper nutrition and exercise. As community leaders, we must all do our part to educate the public that they are responsible for their own health. Unhealthy behaviors, including physical inactivity and unhealthy eating, have led to an epidemic of obesity and related chronic health conditions in our city. In order to curb this epidemic, and to reduce health care costs for our families and our businesses, it is critical to promote regular physical activity and healthy eating habits, and to build environments that support these behaviors. For example, we have incorporated sidewalks, bike trails, traffic calming and mixed-use development
in our community’s physical design so more people can safely be active. Employers should allocate time for employees to exercise during their lunch break or throughout the day. As a society, we need to ensure that these types of strategies are adopted so that it is easier for all Americans, young and old, to have an active lifestyle, eat healthier, and do their part to reduce health care costs.
The delegation that attended the symposium in Washington D.C. is currently working to develop a county-wide program that will include effective strategies to promote long-term healthy lifestyles through healthy eating and renewed physical activity. If we all work together, we can overcome the obesity crisis and keep our loved ones by our sides for years to come.
It is an honor to serve you, and I appreciate being given the opportunity to work for the residents of O’Fallon. I am willing to meet one on one with anyone who has a concern about any issues related to our city. I welcome your suggestions and comments and encourage you to contact me at 624-4500. It is through your input and dialog on important issues that we will make O’Fallon an even better place to live and work.
Gary L. Graham
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