Community Health Forum to Develop Strategies for Healthier Lifestyles

Monday, September 27, 2004

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Olmsted County Public Health, Mayo Clinic and the City of Rochester will present a Community Health Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2004. The forum will focus on the alarming increase of obesity in our nation, as well as techniques for developing healthier lifestyles throughout the community.

The forum will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in Riverview Suite C at the Mayo Civic Center. The forum is free and open to the general public.

Since 1990, obesity has killed more than 100,000 people, making it the nation's second most preventable cause of death. In addition to decreasing life expectancy (up to 13 years in white males and eight years in females), obesity negatively impacts health care costs both in Minnesota and nationally.

At the forum, attendees will hear a summary of the plan of action created in May when Mayo Clinic hosted the "Action on Obesity Summit." The action plan advises individuals to include exercise, specifically walking, and nutritional food choices with smaller portions into their daily routine.

The forum also will offer people in the community an opportunity to get involved by creating strategies to counter the epidemic. Attendees will hear about opportunities to start a walking program in their neighborhood, interest group or family.

"I hope the whole community gets involved," says Ardell Brede, mayor of the City of Rochester. "Community involvement will be critical for the success of this initiative."

Anyone who attends is eligible to win one of five pedometers that will be given away. The pedometers, which include a built-in stopwatch and clock, allow users to track their exercise time as they walk their way to a healthier life.

The pedometers will be given away courtesy of the Mayo Clinic Store which serves the special health care needs of Mayo patients, visitors and staff with medical supplies and products of quality and value.

For more information or questions regarding the forum, please contact Judy Voss, Olmsted County Public Health, Director of Healthy Communities Division at 285-8370.

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