Shape Up, America!

Motivating a nation’s worth of people to get off the couch and get moving is a big job.

You’ve no doubt been working overtime to encourage fitness and healthy habits among your staff. Do you sometimes feel like you could use a hand achieving such a lofty goal?

How about a boost from the U.S. Government? This week it unveiled its National Physical Activity Plan, which might give your efforts a much-needed assist.

With the aim of stamping out obesity and eradicating the so-called couch-potato syndrome so prevalent in America, the plan seeks to make physical fitness an integral part of daily life.

The plan calls for guidelines that would create an environment that encourages physical activity instead of hampering it. Says Secretary of Health Mary Selecky, “How can people be active if they’re putting their lives on the line when they bicycle on busy roadways, or send children walking to school without sidewalks?”

In addition to suggestions for funding bike paths and installing sidewalks, the plan proposes increased activity in early childhood education programs and elementary schools, plus more funding for recreation and fitness programs and facilities in areas that need them.

With obesity rates at an all-time high and 40% of Americans not getting regular exercise, it’s time to implement changes that will tip the scales toward good health.

In the meantime, keep up those smaller-scale efforts to promote health and fitness in your workplace. Use informative reading materials to spread awareness to your employees about the negative consequences of obesity and inactivity, and provide plenty of opportunities for them to make lifestyle changes.

As the nation’s call to action suggests, perhaps the best (and simplest) way to encourage good health is by making it easy for people to get healthy.