Reaching Out: Help yourself to health
Computer pop-up windows extol the virtues of the newest herbal tablets to "melt" the fat off your thighs. Svelte actors reach out from your TV screen, telling miraculous stories of quick weight loss from "XYZ" diet program. The big guy with a "six-pack" holds up a picture ("taken just six months ago") in which his abs look more like a keg. "I owe it all to 'Super Guy Gym'," he claims.
Every year it seems we are bombarded with more and more ways to lose weight and get fit. So, why has the percentage of obese adults in Washington State increased 95% in the past 10 years? In Snohomish County alone, 33.9% of us are overweight and 20.7% are considered obese.
The health implications of this are huge. The risk of developing diabetes, cancer, arthritis and heart disease all go up when we gain weight. Recent estimates suggest 300,000 deaths nationally each year are related to obesity. This is second only to tobacco related deaths.
This is no longer just a personal problem, it is a national problem, a state problem, a county problem, even a local problem.
Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics has joined with the City of Arlington, Arlington Pharmacy, Arlington School District, and many local businesses to develop a community-based weight management program.
While the program is still in design stage, it will begin as a two-year program. At the end of the first six months, it is hoped 175 adults and children will have signed up. Success will mean that, at the end of two years, 75% of the participants will have achieved and maintained their weight loss goals.
A recent community survey revealed 82% of the respondents felt they needed to lose weight. 31.3% of respondents who have children felt the children needed to lose weight.
The survey also revealed 30% of those who felt their children needed to lose weight also felt paying for such a program could be a problem.
Since most weight-loss programs are beyond the reach of adults and children on limited income, one of the goals of this program is to find funding to assist them. Grants applied for should be sufficient to help 100 low-income families. Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation, and Coordinator Joan Miles, offered their services to apply for grants, and manage and disburse funding.
Dee Thomson, CVHC Dietician has offered to assist on program portions that would benefit from her expertise. And, LuAnne Carlson, CVHC Marketing Coordinator, designed the recent survey and will guide efforts to spread knowledge of the Help Yourself to Health program throughout the community. Watch for more information on how you can participate.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It should not replace a visit with your health care professional. Call your doctor if you need more information or have additional questions.