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Get Motivated!

To the People of Philadelphia:

I commend you on all the Steps to a HealthierUS you have taken in Year One of Fun, Fit and Free! "Health Trip" provides a fun and challenging way for you to increase physical activity and to make wise food choices. And the coalition of Philadelphia area organizations -- your schools, your faith-based groups and business -- supporting this initiative are excellent emissaries.

 

Your local efforts support the HealthierUS disease prevention and health promotion initiative President Bush launched in June 2002. Designed to give Americans the guidance they need to reverse the nation?s unhealthy lifestyle trends, HealthierUS set a national goal of helping Americans lead safer, healthier and longer lives. The President challenged all federal agencies to do their part. Last April, the Department of Health and Human Services launched Steps to a HealthierUS, which established a blueprint for a healthier, stronger America, where diseases are prevented when possible, controlled when necessary, and treated when appropriate. The Department?s initiative targets diabetes, obesity, asthma, cancer, and heart disease and stroke and the risk factors, such as poor nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco use and certain youth behaviors, which contribute to these diseases. 

 

Two central pillars of Steps are to promote a healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, and encourage regular physical activity.


Why is preventing overweight and obesity so important? In America, approximately two thirds of adults-are either overweight or obese. The nation's children and adolescents are heavier than they have ever been. People who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or other lipid disorders, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. Overweight and obesity may soon cause as much preventable disease and death as cigarette smoking. But there is good news. Research has shown that small changes, such as moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day on most days and eating 5 or more fruits and vegetables a day, can make a difference.

 

So, I congratulate you, Philadelphia, for taking action. Keep up the good work, and keep moving!

 

                                                            Sincerely,

              Tommy G. Thompson
              Secretary of Health And Human Services