Healthier Missouri starts with commitment

How often we hear it from our doctors, the media and well-meaning friends: eat less, exercise more.

Simple words, but not a simple solution.

The Missouri Obesity Burden Report was released this week in Cape Girardeau, and all sorts of disturbing statistics tumbled out of it. Based on their body mass index -- a measure of body fat calculated by comparing height and weight -- more than half of Missourians are overweight. More than a fifth are obese. We're 10th in the nation for number of obese residents.

For decades, obesity has been viewed as a cosmetic issue. There's even a movement afoot to embrace the so-called Rubenesque body type for women. Overweight men are being labeled "healthy eaters."

Yes, there should be appreciation and respect for people of all shapes and sizes, but that can't be the end of it. Being overweight is unhealthy, as the report proved in astonishing detail.

Obese individuals are 65 percent more likely to have arthritis, their joints strained from carrying more weight than their frames were designed to hold. The obese are 83 percent more likely to have heart disease. They fall victim to diabetes and high blood pressure more frequently than their thinner counterparts.

That mean higher medical costs and more preventable deaths.

How did we get here?

Blame it on our culture, which is built around food. We celebrate almost every notable event in our lives with high-calorie hors d'oeuvres, main courses, side dishes and rich desserts.

More women are working, leaving little time or energy to come home and cook balanced meals for their families. There isn't much motivation to exercise, particularly in neighborhoods without sidewalks or decent lighting.

So where do we go from here?

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which released the report, recommends a holistic approach. It's not enough to tell people to eat less and exercise more.

Cities have to build more hiking and biking trails like Cape Girardeau's own beautiful Cape La Croix Trail.

Churches and other organizations must offer programs to help their members.

And businesses have to open doors to healthy lifestyles for employees. To that end, there are 34 teams from businesses and nonprofit organizations involved with the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's Shape Up Cape program, which encourages daily exercise.

Other than that, there are practical solutions.

Control portion sizes.

Keep a food journal.

Work out for at least a short while every day.

And, most importantly, set realistic goals for fitness and weight loss to avoid discouragement.

If we do those things, a healthier Missouri is guaranteed.