Expert’s Corner
Featured article: TMH Colleagues Put Their Best Foot Forward
The Experts Speak
“We know that 10,000 steps per day - or 70,000 per week - is the mark of a healthy lifestyle, however, any increase will have healthy benefits over time. Pedometers will help area residents measure their current steps and assist them in setting goals to increase.”
Robin Safley
Organizer, Stepping Toward Health
“Our goal is not to turn every child into an athlete. Simple exercise like walking or riding a bike, if done on a regular basis, can have enormous physical benefits. And parents are powerful role models. It’s no wonder that physically active parents tend to have physically fit kids. We’re committed to working with each of our schools to develop appropriate activities.”
Bill Montford
Superintendent, Leon County District Schools
“We know that Tallahassee-area residents value health care coverage - in some cases as much or more than their jobs. We want folks to see that making a personal, and corporate, commitment to a healthy diet and regular exercise can have a profound impact on holding down health care costs so that their employers can continue to offer coverage.”
Kim Williams
President, Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce
“As a working professional and mother, I know how hard it is to find time to exercise. The good news is that just 30 minutes of daily exercise can dramatically reduce disease and improve wellness. Going from sedentary to moderately active can cut your risk of coronary artery disease by 30 to 50%.”
Dr. Nancy Van Vessem
Chief Medical Officer, Capital Health Plan
“Both children and adults are suffering from excess weight gain, which has severe consequences like diabetes, heart disease, lack of energy, weakened joints, and some cancers. Conversely, exercise and proper diet can profoundly improve overall health and increase energy levels.”
Dr. John Agwunobi
Secretary, Florida Department of Health
“The ‘Stepping Into Health Initiative’ is a much-needed program for Tallahassee and the surrounding area due to the high percentage of Leon County residents who overweight and who lack regular exercise.1 From my view, since the Initiative began, there are more people than before wearing pedometers. I also hear people discuss their need to exercise and I have seen more coordination of walkathons and other fitness events. How are we really doing? We will need to identify outcomes that can be carefully evaluated overtime to determine the long-term effectiveness of the Initiative. But I think we have a good start!”
Penny Ralston
Professor and Dean, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University
1 “Prevalence of Major Behavioral Risk Factors in Leon County,” 2002 County Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, Bureau of Epidemiology, Florida Department of Health.