WHEDCo Bronx, NY Health dep't say Step-Up, Exercise

See how the WHEDCo, the Women’s Health and Economic Development Organization, is promoting exercise at this link.

Dr. Jane Bedell, the NY City Department of Health Assistant Commissioner for the Bronx was on hand to give more background on the program. Dr. Bedell says that there is an epidemic of obesity and diabetes in the Bronx. Other diseases that are increased by overweight are heart attacks and strokes. About 65-percent of the adult population is overweight, and this causes a higher level of diabetes cases. She was asked what people can do about this. Her advice is to: 1. drink water not soda, 2. limit TV watching, especially for children, to one hour a day, including video games, 3. walk, run and bicycle as much as you can, 4. eat five servings a day of fruits and vegetables. It’s true that people in New York City walk a lot between using public transportation, they are not totally dependent on using cars, but the obesity problem persists. That is why even a little thing like a “stair prompt” sign is useful. There is a flood of child obesity, with 1/3 of children overweight. This could translate into a diabetes rate far higher than the present rate for New York City adults, of close to 10-percent, perhaps verging on 50-percent, according to some experts. The good news is that this is a recent trend, and can be acted upon now. Residents at the Urban Horizons building are generally positive about the program. Ms. Althea Clarke, who lives there, says that she and her 3-year-old son often use the steps, not the elevator.