Carrying a spare five pounds? Gov. Snyder says knock it off

September 14, 2011
by Ron Dzwonkowski
Detroit Free Press

Acknowledging that “I’ve got a few pounds to lose, folks,” Gov. Rick Snyder is asking Michigan residents who are obese to drop some weight as a start on improving the state’s overall health.

With an adult obesity rate of 30.5%, Michigan was named the 10th most obese state in the country this summer in a report by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The report says the rate of obesity — defined by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “ranges of weight that are generally greater than what is considered healthy” and increase the risk for certain diseases and health problems — has increased in Michigan by 77% during the past 15 years. It was around 17% in the mid-‘90s. Michigan is among a dozen states with a rate above 30%.

Snyder outlined his statewide health improvement plan this morning in Grand Rapids, stepping on a scale and announcing his weight as 194 pounds. He said he has set a goal of dropping 10 pounds by the end of the year. The governor’s overall plan includes giving children more access to healthier foods and exercise; tracking obesity in children through a state registry; making sure that women get adequate prenatal care and that children get dental care; and extending the state’s smoking ban to beaches (which a lot of people do seem to view as giant ashtrays.)

Stopping tobacco use of any kind is part of what Snyder is calling his “4X4” plan for state residents, with the other three parts being healthy diet, regular exercise and annual physicals.

“If each of us practice the Michigan 4X4 plan, our lives will be fuller, our health costs dramatically reduced and our ability to take advantage of all that is Michigan enhanced,” he said.

(The first thing the governor may have to do to promote this plan is to make sure Michigan residents know that a “4X4” can be something other than a go-anywhere pickup.)

Michigan has about 10 million people. So if roughly a third, or 3.3 million are obese, and each of them dropped five pounds, the state would be 8,250 tons lighter. Of course, taking that much weight off the land could cause a drop in our lake levels.

Obesity in unquestionably an expensive health problem that is getting worse in Michigan. Many of us could and should lose five pounds or more. If the governor leads the way, will you follow?

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