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HEALTHY LIVING SUMMT WED JUNE 7TH

 

NSK Healthy Living Summit – June 7, 2016

By Terry Bailey

 

Mark Fenton is coming to town on Tuesday, June 7th. You might ask, “Who is Mark Fenton and for what purpose is he coming to Beloit.” Hold that thought.

In 1939 the average life expectancy in the United States was 59 years of age. In 2015 the average life expectancy had risen to an average age of 79.9. Due to improved medical technology, prescription medications, safer lifestyles and improved geriatric care people have gained twenty years of life expectancy.

This is a good news/bad news situation. On one hand, twenty years is twenty years. On the other hand, for many, those additional years are often filled with a compromised “quality of life” scenario. Often those additional 20 years see people dealing with self-induced health concerns. Things like being overweight. Things like a sedentary lifestyle that has little room for exercise and fitness. Things like a diet filled with too many fats and carbohydrates and too little fresh fruits and vegetables.


This lifestyles contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems. These situations and other health related concerns diminish the quality of life we hope to have with these extra 20 years.

So…back to Mark Fenton. Fenton could be nicknamed a “Healthy Living Guru.” His resume is sparkling. Fenton is an associate professor at Tufts University’s School of Nutrition Science. He is a former host of the PBS series “America’s Walking.” He has authored several books including A Complete Guide to Walking for Health, Weight Loss and Fitness. He competed in the1984 and 88 Olympic Trials in the 50 kilometer (31 mile) race walk.

May of his current efforts are related to non-motorized transportation, bicycle and pedestrian community plans, and he is a recognized authority on public health issues and the need for community, environmental, and public policy initiatives to encourage more walking, bicycling, and public transit use.

Fenton’s appearance in Beloit is a product of the efforts of the North Central Kansas AWARE organization. AWARE was formed in 2011 as a county-wide coalition to educate the community about chronic disease and to promote healthy lifestyles. Members of AWARE are: Cheryl Renter, Amber Martin, Lori May, Cortney Murrow, Greg Renter, Tami Roberts, Mandy Fincham, Shelby Bohnert, Ashley Goudey, Stephanie Simmons, and Janelle Gasper.

 

The healthy living summit will be conducted at Beloit High School on Tuesday June 7th. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude at 4:00 p.m. Fenton will talk about healthy community design early in the session. The highlight of the program will be a Facilitated Walk Audit of the City of Beloit. The purpose of the Walk Audit will be to identify strengths and weaknesses in community facilities that promote or detract from a healthy lifestyle.

Those interested in participating in the Healthy Living Summit should call Stephanie Simmons, Director of the Mitchell County Regional Medical Foundation, at 785-738-9493. Cost of the day long Summit Program is $25.

 

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