Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes for Health USA, says families and communit

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov. 6, 2012 - ● For the individual, we need to overcome the perception that obesity is just a matter of willpower — blaming the victim doesn't help.
● For real change, individuals need to get past the crash-diet mentality to a lifestyle plan of healthy eating and increased physical activity.
● People need tools that can assist them in making these changes, including support groups and Web- or cellphone-based tools that allow tracking of diet and exercise to provide feedback.
● Families are crucial — unless the whole family gets involved in a plan to adopt a healthier lifestyle, it will be difficult for the individual to succeed.
● Communities are essential to success. Public education programs are critical.
● Redesigning the built environment to promote active lifestyles and access to healthy foods needs to be a priority; schools need to develop healthier lunch programs and access to physical education.
● Businesses that get engaged in providing incentives for a healthy lifestyle are finding that this yields results in productivity and reduced health care costs.
● National policies need to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles instead of working against them.

Activ8rlives (http://www.activ8rlives.com/) says:  This puts the challenges clearly and provides high level solutions. Families, communities and empowerment of each of us with the right tools, must be at the center of greater health and wellness for all of us.

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