NASHVILLE,
Tenn.- Good news for Tennesseans. Obesity rates in the state are going down for
the second year in a row.
New
research has revealed that Tennessee is now the 15th fattest state in the
country, which is an improvement when just a few years ago the state was ranked
third. According to the Tennessee Obesity Task force there is more good news. In
a state where 69 % of people used to be overweight that number has dropped to
66%.
"We've
seen two years in a row where we have seen decreases in obesity and extreme obesity
we are very happy about this," said David Schlundt from Vanderbilt University.
Heather
Burczynski used to be one of the numbers talked about in that obesity
presentation. She said a simple lack of knowledge about food lead her weight to
hit almost 300 pounds. She's since dropped a 130 pounds and believes a lot of
new, nutritional outreach programs are key.
"I
think one important thing is to get into the schools which there are a lot of
representation here, to teach the kids, at an early age - what healthy eating
is, and how to be active," said Burczynski.
While
officials said there is still a great deal of work to be done, research has
shown that the percentage of Tennesseans who are obese peaked at 32 percent in
2000, but it dropped last year to 29 percent.
Nashville
Mayor Dean has been a strong proponent of healthy living an announced on
Tuesday that he will host the second annual Mayor's Challenge 5K Walk and Run
on November 18, 2012. The event is free and held in downtown Nashville. To sign
up to participate in walk visit Mayor's
Challenge 5K.
