A Letter from Phil Kirk
We
Couch Potatoes Need More Exercise
 Various studies in recent years indicate that North Carolinians are
not as physically fit as we should be. I plead guilty, although my
boss last year, Mac Everett, has challenged me to change my eating,
exercise and work habits.
The Centers for Disease Control claims that a whopping 86 percent of
North Carolina’s adults are not sufficiently active, placing us 38th
in the nation. North Carolina Prevention Partners gave us a D+ grade
in physical activity.
Clearly this level of physical inactivity is cause for alarm, even if
the statistics are exaggerated a little. Physical inactivity can lead
to a multitude of health problems, early death and billions of dollars
in avoidable medical expenses.
The North Carolina Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health
and its Foundation have founded a physical activity initiative, “Be
Active North Carolina.” This project will encourage policymakers,
communities, organizations,
families and individuals to support, promote and participate in
physical activity. Why? To reduce the human and economic burden of
diseases related to inactive lifestyles.
A lack of knowledge among the masses is obvious, and Be Active North
Carolina will attempt to shape the way we think about physical
fitness.
Some criticism is leveled at the
apparent reduced emphasis on physical activities in public schools
because of the need to be sure students master basic skills. While I
see a considerable level of
physical education in most of the schools I visit, we do not intend to
increase time spent on physical education and recess until every child
is at grade level on academic skills.
Children are in school fewer than six hours a day and 180 days, less
than half of the year. That leaves 18 hours a day and 185 days a year
for additional physical activity.
Of course, we agree that good nutritional eating habits and daily
exercise helps students do better on their academic work. There is the
challenge of utilizing our time in and out of school to the best
advantage.
This new organization plans to focus on three levels — society,
community and organizations. The effort is estimated to cost $10
million over a five-year period. Supporters say that equates to 26
cents per North Carolinian per year — quite a bargain when compared
to the cost of $320 per citizen annually due to physical inactivity!
Among the strategies include increasing public awareness of the
problem and solutions, developing and enforcing public policies and
laws that regulate beneficial health behaviors, coordinating community
coalition efforts to bring about change, and getting businesses,
churches and schools to be active in this area.
Hopefully the group won’t go overboard in trying to secure new
government rules to regulate human behavior from cradle to grave 24
hours a day. Education, yes! More laws, no!
The business community, while
supportive of the goals of the campaign, must be alert to many of the
well-meaning policy strategies this group will be advocating. Proposed
infrastructure requirements, such as sidewalks, trails, new zoning and
rezoning requirements, building code changes, signage and others,
could cost local and state governments (the taxpayers) and
businesses hundreds of millions of dollars. Please be alert especially
to this part of the campaign.
There are also many burdensome planning and reporting
requirements contained in the program’s plan, especially for
schools. The last thing
our educators need is more paperwork, more plans to prepare and more
reporting!
A private sector fund-raising campaign is underway. The goal is $5
million in contributions to match the same amount in government
funding. Bob Greczyn, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield,
is chairing this effort and his company has pledged $1 million to this
initiative. This is an effort worth supporting.
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