"Healthy People in
Healthy Communities"
- NEW: Take the President's Challenge!
The President's Challenge is designed to help everyone improve their activity level, by making choices to live healthier - and finding things you really like to do. The Challenge is a program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
- What is the Fit & Healthy Vermonters Initiative?
- Obesity - Facts and Effects
- Be a Fit & Healthy Vermonter
- Let us know what is happening in your community
What is the Fit & Healthy Vermonters Initiative?
Obesity is quickly becoming a leading public health challenge in Vermont. Over half of all Vermont adults are overweight or obese, and overweight among children is increasing at an alarming rate.
The Fit & Healthy Vermonters initiative focuses on prevention, with ways to increase physical activity and improve healthy eating for Vermonters of all ages. This initiative is aligned with, and builds upon the Blueprint for Health, Vermont’s initiative to address the burden of chronic diseases in our state.
Several "Target Areas" have been identified for Fit & Healthy Vermonters that engage communities, build organizational collaborations, develop plans, and carry out the goals of the initiative:
- Government and Partner Organizations
- Health Care
- Communities
- Schools
- Worksites
- Early Childcare
- Breastfeeding
- Individuals and Families
Obesity - Facts and Effects
Th
e Facts
- More than half (54 percent) of Vermont adults are overweight or obese; that equals 250,000 Vermont adults who are above a healthy weight.
- 19 percent of adults are obese weighing more than 30 pounds above a healthy weight.
- The prevalence of obesity among Vermont adults increased by 58 percent from 1993 to 2003.
- At the current rate by 2010, 61 percent of adults will be above a healthy weight.
For more information on the burden of obesity see the 2006 Obesity and Health Status Report (pdf).
The Effects
- Being overweight increases the risk of many chronic diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, heart disease and certain cancers.
- Estimated health care costs attributable to obesity in Vermont are $141 million dollars.
The causes of weight gain are: inadequate physical activity; unhealthy eating patterns; or a combination of the two. Genetics and lifestyle also play a role.
Societal trends contributing to the problem include
- a tendency to eat meals away from home.
- increased soda consumption, large portion sizes.
- eating fewer fruits and vegetables.
- driving more than walking or biking.
- increased time spent in front of the television.
- fewer opportunities for physical activity.
Be a Fit & Healthy Vermonter
- Look for healthy recipes and snack ideas on the Eat for Health web pages.
- Find tips for increasing your physical activity and track your progress at Get Moving Vermont.
- Take the Fit & Healthy Kids fall or spring activity challenge.
- Learn about the recreation resources in your town.
- Take a hike or a walk at a Vermont state park.
- Quit smoking!
What is happening in your community?
We want to know what is happening in your community. What activitiy programs are being offered, who is attending, and who is the sponsor?
- Fill out the survey form.