Taft will be joined by Ohio Department of Health Director J. Nick Baird, M.D., to issue a challenge to all Ohioans to be healthier and exercise at least 30 minutes per day. I'm issuing a challenge today to all Ohioans to reverse this trend by exercising regularly and eating healthier.
Consequences related to obesity are heart disease, diabetes, cancer and premature death.
In their Healthy People 2010 goals released in January, the agency calls for reducing adult obesity in the U.S. to 15 percent and child and adolescent obesity to 5 percent. Seventy percent of Ohioans report leading a sedentary lifestyle with little or no exercise. Healthy People 2010 also calls for increasing the number of adolescents who exercise regularly to 85 percent and adults to 30 percent. The goal defines regular exercise as rigorous physical activity for at least 20 minutes, three times per week. People who are inactive can improve their health and well-being by becoming even moderately active on a regular basis.