Gov. Mitch Daniels was recognized by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Friday for his efforts to improve the health of Indiana residents through the INShape Indiana program.
SummerFit, an INShape Indiana program, sends Hoosiers weekly e-mails with health and fitness guidelines coordinated by a points system.
Daniels' plan encourages physical activity, healthy meals, and an alcohol-free lifestyle. During an eight-week period, participants are asked to provide updates on their progress as they receive tips and invitations to various activities, events, and programs across the state.
Members can track their fitness progress through a point system, submitting them online to become eligible for an INShape Indiana-related prize. Points are based on activities such as engaging in 30 minutes of physical activity, eating one fruit or vegetable serving per day and abstaining from alcohol use for one day.
Daniels developed the INShape Indiana program as a response to Indiana's high obesity ratings.
A U.S. Department of Health Study showed Indiana has the fourth-highest obesity rate in the country. 26 percent of Indiana's population engages in no physical activity, and 25 percent of adults in the state use tobacco products, according to the study.
"Too many Hoosiers are losing years because they do not embrace healthy habits," Daniels said in a press release. "Health care costs in Indiana are among the highest in the country. Our rising cost of health insurance coverage, combined with lost productivity due to illness, has made Indiana a less desirable place to do business."
Kent Bullis, medical director at the Amelia T. Wood Health Center, said health care costs will escalate further if steps are not taken to prevent increasing health problems. Bullis recognizes obesity as a problem at Ball State, he said.
"I think some problems, which relate to obesity here in the Midwest, are that we tend to drink more dairy and eat more fried foods," he said. "We can't blame it all on that, however. The culture in Indiana is also different from other areas. Being healthy just doesn't seem like a priority."
Multiple other health problems are associated with being overweight such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes and stroke, according to the Center for Disease Control.
"Type-2 Diabetes used to be rare for people under 30 years old," Bullis said. "Now, many teens have it because as children, they weighed more."
The Health Education department at Ball State has coordinated successful weight-management programs, but the programs have not reached a large group like INShape Indiana does, Bullis said.
Students should take advantage of the recreation facilities on campus to stay fit, he said.
"I try to go to Irving Gym and work out about four times a week," senior Kevin Templeman said. "Sometimes I'm lazy, though, and only go a few times."
SummerFit participants can receive free access to Indiana State Parks and discounts on produce at Marsh supermarkets. To sign up for SummerFit and receive weekly fitness plans and notifications, visit in.gov/inshape.
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