Saturday, June 28, 2008

Healthy Airports

At the Healthy Alliance, we aren’t just promoting a more fit city , we are promoting a healthier community, which means everyone working together. Millions of people travel for business, pleasure and various other reasons every day. Often times, people are stuck in airports with very little to do; eat at an overpriced restaurant, watch the same CNN fifteen-minute news loop, or surf the web. Why can’t there be something that not only gives passengers something to do, but lets them be more healthy?

The lack of gyms in airports is appalling. I am not talking a full 30,000 sq ft. complex, but something as simple as a large room with a few cycles, elliptical and resistance machines. Some airports around the country have already begun implementing this into the facility.

The facts are there, working out helps ease stress (last time I checked airports are stressful places with delayed flights, missed meetings, and just being around so many people), regular passengers won’t have to miss workouts due to traveling, and airport staff will now have something positive to do on breaks. So passengers might actually be more friendly when getting on flights, what a thought! Healthier travlers has brought one company to create this ad.

By sponsoring a gym, airlines could get more revenue from the workout room, therefore easing the pain of raising gas prices. The Healthy Alliance fully supports the idea of fitter travelers and has a full layout plan of different efficient workout tactics for travelers.

Friday, June 13, 2008

School Obesity

The topic of obesity in America is one that needs to be taken seriously. Almost 13 million people under the age of 20 are overweight according to the US Dept of Health & Human Services. The Surgeon General has suggested different initiatives and program guides on how schools can help. The programs are different ideas of what schools can do to help students be more fit.

I just read a report saying that kids aren’t responding to being told to diet. The way society is pressuring and advertising overweight teens to loose weight isn’t working. I am reminded of when I took a health class at UF and learned D.A.R.E. actually increased drug use among kids. Perhaps there needs to be a new, fresh approach on educating people on obesity, not on making overweight kids diet, but making your entire community responsible.

A program similar to the government’s is one sponsored by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, named the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation seems to be a bit better of a layout. This brings me to my next point, the government needs to outsource obesity education. Schools around the country have begun to cut the physical education departments yet parents and teachers complain about the health of their kids.

That’s why at the Healthy Gainesville Alliance we have programs for schools in which we actually provide on-site health education specialists. Our program addresses finding smarter eating options, physical fitness, and community involvement. The reason why our campaign with school-aged kids will be effective is not only are we telling them what needs to be changed, but thanks to our community involvement from our food providers, we show them where they can eat. The Healthy Alliance doesn’t just tell kids to work out, we show them fun activities and give them new motivation to get out of the house. Our goal is not only to educate kids, but demand socially responsibility from companies within Gainesville.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Welcome

Welcome to the new blog brought to you by The Healthy Gainesville Alliance, Inc. Our goal is to update readers on emerging issues in the field of obesity and what different companies are doing to fight this disease.

At The Healthy Alliance, changing habits for the better is our focus. By making smarter decisions and making companies in the community do the same we set the table for a positive environment for the future.

Be on the lookout for new articles and posts in the upcoming weeks!