June 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 22

Community Center

Lee's Summit Parks and Recreation RevUp
Targeting the socioeconomic, psychological and emotional aspects of health
By J. Thomas Lovell, Jr., CPRP

T

he health of residents in Kansas and Missouri " is going downhill "
read the headline in the Sunday, January 4, 2015, Kansas City Star.
Many of the findings, taken from the United Health Foundation, are
based on simple factors, such as smoking, vaccinations, exercise and
good eating habits. This is nothing new, but there is more. According to the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every state in the country has
a prevalence of obesity greater than 20 percent: 36 states have a rate greater
than 25 percent and 12 states - including Missouri - are listed at more than
30 percent.
Unfortunately, Lee's Summit, Missouri, is not immune and our children
need a " vaccine. " Within our community, all private and public fitness/
nutrition providers need to ramp up
their programs and help our citizens
develop the skills and tools necessary
to change their lifestyle habits and assist them with improving their health.
Likewise, our businesses and families
need to assume responsibility for their

employees, family members and themselves. Good community wellness and
health makes " cents " and sense.
Lee's Summit Parks and Recreation (LSPR) has been serving Lee's
Summit since 1968 and, at all levels,
is committed to continue having a
strong presence in our community's
fitness and wellness solution. We
provide 26 neighborhood parks, three
community centers, more than 73

Lee's Summit Parks and Recreation is
serving as a leader for public health in the
community with its new RevUP Community
Wellness Program.

miles of walking trails and a family
waterpark, along with other programs
and special events for the well-being
of our community. Our population
has increased from 28,000 in 1980 to
approximately 95,000 today and is
projected to be more than 116,000 by
2020. Over the years, this growth has
presented many challenges, and we
anticipate more throughout the next
decade, but the current health of our
community and nation is one of the
most significant challenges facing us.
Obesity brings with it many health
concerns - high blood pressure and
an increased risk of heart attack,
stroke, cancer and diabetes - all of

Did You Know...?
Of the adults in the United States...
*	 More than 66 percent are obese or
overweight
*	 55 percent do not get enough
physical activity
*	 26 percent are completely inactive
*	 Only 25 percent eat recommended
amounts of fruits and vegetables
*	 33 percent will have diabetes by
2050 and 75 percent of these cases
will develop cardiovascular disease
On average...
*	 Annual health care costs are
$6,600 more for people with diabetes than for those without
*	 Medical costs for obese adults
is 77 percent higher than for a
healthy adult
Source: Anderson, D., Stay Well Health
Management, 2008

20	 Parks & Recreation

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June 2016 - Parks & Recreation

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