April 25, 2019 at 4:54 p.m.
Jay County needs exercise options
Letters to the Editor
To the editor:
Jay County has fallen behind drastically compared to the national average regarding the provision of accessible exercise facilities to all patrons.
According to County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, 40 percent of Jay County’s population has access to exercise opportunities compared to the national average of 75 percent.
Another issue that obviously stems from this problem is higher than average adult obesity rates seen in Jay County.
Obesity leads to life-threatening conditions such as heart disease stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. These diseases caused by obesity are some of the leading causes of preventable, premature death.
Furthermore, obesity and the related diseases come with a price tag. According to the Centers for Disease Control, medical costs for obese individuals are about $1,500 more expensive than individuals of normal weight.
I am originally from Portland, and although I never really experienced this problem living in the heart of Jay County, I noticed that others who lived in other areas of the county did. There are a few gyms, parks and walking trails in Portland, so I know there are some resources in the city.
However, Jay County is a fairly large county with lots of country roads and farmland. I know people who live about 30 minutes from town and have no access to any exercise opportunities.
I know it would be difficult to open up gyms in all areas of the county, but I do think there should be some kind of accessible exercise opportunity for everyone, rather than just 40 percent of the population. Some feasible suggestions would include implementing more walking/biking trails in the country, installing more playgrounds or parks, and hiring more instructors to teach exercise classes throughout the county. This does not necessarily need to be in a gym with exercise equipment. Zumba, yoga, aerobics, and palates instructors can all teach classes in any building with sufficient space.
It is time the leaders of Jay County stand up and strive to make a change to better the community. If everyone in the county had access to exercise opportunities, obesity rates would decline.
Furthermore, diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer would also diminish, leading to reduced medical bills and longer, happier lives.
Jay County has fallen behind drastically compared to the national average regarding the provision of accessible exercise facilities to all patrons.
According to County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, 40 percent of Jay County’s population has access to exercise opportunities compared to the national average of 75 percent.
Another issue that obviously stems from this problem is higher than average adult obesity rates seen in Jay County.
Obesity leads to life-threatening conditions such as heart disease stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. These diseases caused by obesity are some of the leading causes of preventable, premature death.
Furthermore, obesity and the related diseases come with a price tag. According to the Centers for Disease Control, medical costs for obese individuals are about $1,500 more expensive than individuals of normal weight.
I am originally from Portland, and although I never really experienced this problem living in the heart of Jay County, I noticed that others who lived in other areas of the county did. There are a few gyms, parks and walking trails in Portland, so I know there are some resources in the city.
However, Jay County is a fairly large county with lots of country roads and farmland. I know people who live about 30 minutes from town and have no access to any exercise opportunities.
I know it would be difficult to open up gyms in all areas of the county, but I do think there should be some kind of accessible exercise opportunity for everyone, rather than just 40 percent of the population. Some feasible suggestions would include implementing more walking/biking trails in the country, installing more playgrounds or parks, and hiring more instructors to teach exercise classes throughout the county. This does not necessarily need to be in a gym with exercise equipment. Zumba, yoga, aerobics, and palates instructors can all teach classes in any building with sufficient space.
It is time the leaders of Jay County stand up and strive to make a change to better the community. If everyone in the county had access to exercise opportunities, obesity rates would decline.
Furthermore, diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer would also diminish, leading to reduced medical bills and longer, happier lives.
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