Health Journey 2008

Health Journey 2008 promises to be fun as we journey to our next destination: "HEART-FIT", Connecticut.

In 2007, Philadelphians went to "New YOU", New York, "SLIM-cinnati", Ohio, "Hon-o-LOSE-IT", Hawaii and finally, "FIT-adelphia", PA. In 2006, trips were taken to "Las Veggies" Nevada, "Hon-A-Lose-It" Hawaii, "Less-O'-Me", Florida and "FIT-adelphia," Pennsylvania. 

In 2005, trips were taken to "Get LEANburg," Tennessee, "Feel-a-Healthier", Pennsylvania, and "Or-LEAN-do", Florida. In 2004, trips were taken to "Cholesterol Springs" Colorado, "Weightville," West Virginia, "Hon-A-Lose-It," Hawaii, and "Eatin' Well," Vermont.

Health Journey 2008 will continue to target the problems of poor nutrition choices and sedentary lifestyles among Philadelphians. According to McGinnis and Foege (1993) and Allison et al. (1999), sedentary lifestyles and obesity, which most often tend to be an indicator for sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition choices, results in over 300,000 deaths per year in North America. Stevens et al. (1998) estimates that excess body weight increases the risk of death for individuals between 30 and 74 years old. These deaths result from coronary artery disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancers of the colon, breast, and prostate, and diabetes. Sedentary lifestyle and obesity are second only to tobacco in causing premature death.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (1996) reports that Americans spend $33 billion dollars annually on weight reduction products and services in spite of the often-serious health risks associated with some of the products. This, however, pales in comparison with the $102 billion annual total cost of overweight as estimated by the Lewin Group (1999). Recently it was reported that over 64 percent of adults are overweight which reflects Philadelphia's challenge with weight as shown in a recent PHMC survey. Employers are especially hit with rising health care costs, absenteeism, and a greater number of sick days.

It is without a doubt that Philadelphia has contributed significantly to the national cost of sedentary lifestyle and obesity. The Mayor's Office of Health & Fitness has worked tediously to raise the awareness of this issue. Ten relatively simple health principles have been identified which are promoted in this program that will provide workers with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities necessary to make meaningful, permanent changes in their daily routines enabling them to address sedentary lifestyles and obesity. 

This office is in a unique position to not only successfully develop the Health Journey, but to use it to further raise awareness as to the importance of lifestyle in combating obesity and to show the efficacy of a fun, easy-to-replicate model.

CLICK HERE to View Health & Fitness Itinerary