Family fitness key to fighting obesity

Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising are crucial in staying fit.

One way to incorporate fitness into your life is by booking some exercise time on your calendar. It could be as simple as a walk, jog, or bike ride among family and friends. Organized events work too, like this Saturday's runs being held by the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin.

The runs offered are a half-marathon, 10-kilomter and 5-kilometer. In past years, people representing a variety of fitness levels and ages have taken part. We expect that will be the case this year too.

Healthy events like this run are needed in Grant County. The obesity rate here is 36 percent, 9 percent above the state's average, according to 2010-2012 statistics provided by the state Department of Health. And Adams County's obesity rate is 38 percent.

It appears both counties are a reflection of the entire country.

Nationwide, obesity rates have increased exponentially in the last 30 years, according to a previous interview with Amy Clark, DOH's healthy eating/active living program manager.

She said the state agency has been increasing education over the years to address the problem.

Some contributing factors include a changing environment with less connectivity and sidewalks and more unhealthy foods readily available, she explained.

Obesity affects everyone, she said. Not only are about 27 percent of Washingtonians obese, about 60 percent are obese or overweight.

That's why we think its important to support fitness events like the Boys and Girls Clubs runs on Saturday. Participants can still register from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the downtown club at 401 W. Third Ave. You can also register Saturday morning at the event. There is a charge to take part.

For more information, call 509-764-9694.

- Editorial Board