Take advantage of healthy options in area

According to a recent study by the American Medical Association, our nation's obesity rate is growing at an alarming rate. Many states are reporting obesity rates as high as 30 percent of the population. This should not be a surprise.

Many of today's workers (those that still have jobs) are employed in capacities that are mostly sedentary and there is little incentive to seek out healthy food choices and opportunities for hard-core, calorie-burning recreation.

Not to mention the fact that health care coverage plans do not cover critical medications that help those with obesity issues, yet covered medications include all those medicines that treat the litany of health care issues resulting from obesity.

We are fortunate in our area to have easy and ample access to recreation and healthy food choices. So after you've finished reading The Gazette today, get off your keister and take your dog for a walk or visit one of our areas wonderful nature trails.

Then walk, run, bike (or drive) yourself over to one of many local farmers markets where you'll be delighted to find an abundance of fresh, local fruits, vegetables and other locally produced goods.

Lena Gilbert

Springville Farmers Market Manager

Springville