EDITORIAL
It's time to get off the couch and exercise
As anyone who has ever dieted can tell you, it is tough to take off the extra pounds. And even tougher to keep them off.
And so a survey last week by the Journal of the American Medical Association that shows nearly 15 percent of Hawai'i's residents are obese and another 35 percent are overweight is not surprising.
While Hawai'i's obesity rate is a bit below the national average, it grew faster — from 8 percent in 1991 to 15 percent of the population in 2000 — than the national average.
Obesity traps people into a lifetime of cruel jokes, difficulties in getting around, and serious health problems. Many growing chronic health problems — diabetes, for one — would be reduced if people made more progress in cutting down on the poundage and getting more exercise.
It's a problem that affects everyone. The additional medical problems faced by people who are overweight add to the growing prescription drug and healthcare costs nationwide. Those growing costs affect all of us. Higher medical costs put burdens on hospitals and physicians and health insurance providers. Ultimately, that translates into higher health premiums and higher co-payments, and that can also translate into reduced services.
A few people probably can't be pushed off their couches to exercise more and eat better no matter the incentive, but many others could probably be brought around to a healthier lifestyle with help, support and education.
The state Health Department has undertaken an ambitious and much needed project, the Healthy Hawai'i Initiative, to do just that. If you've been sitting on the couch instead of out exercising, you've probably seen the television ads that are a part of the campaign. It has a light touch and makes the point that small steps in a lifestyle change to better eating and more exercise is beneficial for all.
The Health Department hopes to change the public's tolerance for risky behavior in eating and lack of exercise — as well as smoking — much as MADD has succeeded in changing the public's tolerance for drinking and driving.
The ad campaign is just one part of the push.
Communities have gotten financing to prepare plans to promote health initiatives to improve nutrition, increase physical activity and reduce smoking. Nutrition projects have been financed to improve wellness. A number of organizations have been financed to increase physical activity.
You don't have to wait to start on a healthier course. If you want to start living healthy on your own, you can go to the Healthy Hawai'i Initiative's Web page for tips and ideas. Or talk to your doctor. Or enlist a family member or friend to help you stay the course.
And then just do it.
