More active means more healthy
Health officials this week estimated that 70 percent of adults and 40 percent of children in Delaware are either clinically obese or overweight. We eat too much and we’re not active enough.
Many years ago, a Lewes cardiologist said Americans eat every day like it’s a holiday: rich foods and rich desserts at every meal.
Instead, he said, we should eat simply most of the time and save the rich foods for celebrations like Thanksgiving. Otherwise, we take in too many calories, put on weight, and eventually suffer chronic, painful and expensive health problems like diabetes.
We still spend far more of our time sitting in chairs and looking at television and computer screens than we do outside. Outside, we tend to be active.
At an outdoors summit this week at the Stockley Center, officials discussed trails and healthy community initiatives designed to create a built environment that draws people outside. It’s working. Fenwick Island built a handicapped-accessible kayak launching area and has invested in beach mats that allow disabled and elderly people easier access to the beach.
Rehoboth Beach has a walking program that rewards participants with state park passes. But there, another problem has arisen.
So many more people are running, walking and cycling on the Boardwalk, the city is looking at restricting bicycle riding to avoid conflicts during peak summer hours.
Gov. Jack Markell noted that investing in trails brings economic development, good health and recreation. In tight financial times, he said, some might say cut these projects.
That would be a mistake. “Are we willing to do what we have to do to be among the very best, and to meet our obligation to the next generation and the one after that? Let’s use common sense and a common vision to keep the progress going.” Quoting Thomas Edison, Markell said: “Vision without the ability to execute is nothing more than hallucination.”
He challenged all, including elected officials, to continue funding for trails and programs to get people outside, active, healthier and happier.
“It’s up to us to make it real,” he said. We couldn’t agree more.
