By Willona Stallings, Greensboro News & Record
According to Trust for America’s Health, as reported in the News & Record on June 29, North Carolina is now the 10th-heaviest state, after ranking No. 12 just one year ago. This signifies a reduced quality of life for more North Carolinians, as research shows that persons who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for heart disease and stroke, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. It also means additional financial costs for our state.
The N.C. Council of Churches applauds the News & Record’s efforts to bring awareness to the issue, as we work to do the same through Partners in Health and Wholeness, our new wellness initiative. The mission of PHW is to promote healthy living as a practice of our faith — encouraging clergy and congregants to be physically active; eat healthy, well-balanced meals; and reduce the impact of smoking on themselves and their neighbors.
The Council and other health advocates are partnering to reverse the trend toward overweight and obesity.
