Report on County's Needs Shows Concern for Obesity

A state of the county report based on focus group testing concluded that the county needs to address an increasing problem dealing with obesity. 

Anne Arundel County's 2012 Needs Assessment Report, titled Poverty Amongst Plenty IV, was recently released by the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County.

A summary of the report's findings shows that population growth in Anne Arundel County has slowed since the 1970s and 1980s, with only a 10 percent increase since 2000, and obesity is growing—29 percent of all adults are obese and 38 percent are overweight.

When addressing the Anne Arundel County Council in October, Health Department Officer Dr. Angela M. Wakhweya urged it to lead by example and champion a "healthy weight, as well as your family and those in the districts you serve."

"Two-thirds of our county is either overweight or obese," said Wakhweya. "That's 65 percent of our population. That is not healthy."

Curves in Severna Park now offers a new workout regiment that focuses on diet, exercise and motivation. An employee with Curves said many women have expressed an interest in the program so far this year.

The head of the Anne Arundel County Health Department said obesity and overweight issues are the agency’s top priority, with the second being cancer, the county's second-leading cause of death.

Those looking to stay fit and healthy in Severna Park have several options. In fact, many area gyms have reported an increase in memberships since the New Year.

Sport Fit also recently provided Patch with some tips for staying healthy in 2013. Some of those tips include introducing small changes to your diet on a weekly basis, staying motivated despite any setbacks and finding a workout buddy. You can read more about these tips here.

You can also stay fit by training for a 5K. Spark Running is offering a new session of its 5K training class, A New Kind of 9 to 5. The new session will begin on Jan. 15 with practices held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. For more information on the program call 410-544-3184.

For a complete report of Anne Arundel County's 2012 Needs Assessment Report click here.

See Also

• Staying Fit in Severna Park for 2013
• Spark Running Offers New 5K Training Class