Council member Jeannie Henry, director of public affairs for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, appreciates Holliday s energy and strong spiritual foundation. There s never a doubt in any of our minds that Lisa comes with a committed faith, Henry says. Her concern and compassion level goes way beyond her years. Part of Holliday s job is to encourage the formation of fitness and health councils on the local level so they can share information, such as how to obtain funding for a walking trail. The state council plans to present an advocacy paper to the governor and the legislature this spring, urging them to increase physical education requirements and to promote a healthy lifestyle in Missouri schools.
PE now is required through ninth grade only.
Obesity among children is a major concern of the council, Holliday notes. Watching television lowers a person s metabolic rate, so eating in front of the TV is especially unhealthy. Churches could move from being part of the problem too many potluck suppers to part of the solution, Holliday says. She d like to see churches offer more activities for families as an alternative to putting a movie in the VCR and munching popcorn. Health and fitness is such a broad area that it can seem overwhelming, Holliday admits.