Guest Editorial: Obesity Rate - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Guest Editorial: Obesity Rate

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  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:20:04 GMT
    Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences.  Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session that
    Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences.  Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session that

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
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Congratulations central Alabama!

Two years ago, our obesity rate was 34.6%, tied for highest in the country! The latest figures show our rate has dropped to 30.9%!

We're no longer lead the country, we're not even the highest in Alabama…sorry Huntsville.

Our new rate means 13,000 fewer people are obese than two years ago.  13,000 people who may have longer lives and fewer health problems like heart disease, stroke, and some forms of cancer.

But we still have more work to do! Fortunately, a lot of people are working together to keep us moving forward. 

Healthier school lunches, better access to locally grown produce, making communities more walkable and encouraging active lifestyles will lower our obesity rate even further…and save more lives.

Congratulations on what you've already accomplished…let's show the rest of the country that we're not finished yet!