More about GLHA and Walking Wednesdays
I’m glad the Lowell Sun gave a thumbs up to the Lincoln School staff, students and volunteers who turned out in great numbers last week for the first ‘Walking Wednesday.’ They correctly point out that poor nutrition and lack of exercise are having an impact on children’s health. I have lately been hearing a chilling prediction from health experts that there is now, for the first time in this country and this century, a greater chance that parents will begin outliving their children because of these unhealthy habits. I’m not a medical expert and I can’t find any hard evidence of this, but the statement is definitely circulating and just by looking around we can see the signs: more overweight, sedentary children and teens, more children diagnosed with Type II diabetes–the kind that generally shows up in middle-aged adults. This is scary stuff. As a parent, I know how hard it is to instill healthy habits, especially if you don’t have them yourself, and when the marketing departments of the fast food and junk food industry are relentless in capturing more market share.
The Greater Lowell Health Alliance was formed about a year ago in an effort to reverse these trends and to cultivate a healthier community, with an initial focus on obesity. The ‘Walking Wednesday’ program is just one part of a multi-pronged effort involving many of the GLHA members, which includes competitive walking programs such as Lowell General Hospital’s “Spring into Action” and UML’s “March into May.” Middlesex Community College also has a program on both campuses, with over 200 participants.This morning was the second “Walking Wednesday” and it was just as successful as the first, with all the buses arriving on time, the weather cooperating and no vans parked on the sidewalk!
