Northern Michigan Event: Join the ShapeMichigan initiative for healthy lifestyles with a free film showing and educational panel on Wednseday, November 14, 2012. Doors open at Great Wolf Lodge Conference Center at 5:00pm with activities launching at 6:00pm.
(GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – October 22, 2012) Michigan is fifth in the nation for having the largest number of obese residents. Only half of Michigan’s children get physical exercise every day. Michigan residents are greatly at risk for costly and life-threatening diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which are among the leading causes of death in the state.
Those searching for answers to Michigan’s obesity crisis will find them through ShapeMichigan, an initiative uniting business leaders, health care providers, educators, students and families in an effort to improve the health of local communities.
Through ShapeMichigan, Priority Health is collaborating with Munson Healthcare to bring this initiative to northern Michigan. Munson Healthcare and its eight system hospitals are committed to raising awareness for the obesity crisis with special events scheduled in each community.
“ShapeMichigan is about creating awareness and finding real-life solutions to our state’s obesity crisis,” said Paula Murphy, vice president of marketing and corporate communications for Priority Health. “We hope to motivate and inspire positive lifestyle changes, at home, at work, and at school.”
In Traverse City, ShapeMichigan is taking place on November 14 at the Great Wolf Lodge Conference Center, 3575 N US Highway 31 S. This event is designed to create a discussion around the economics of obesity and its impact on our schools, businesses, the community and our physical health.
“We know the obesity crisis is affecting our community,” said Kathy Garthe, vice president of regional development and corporate communications for Munson Healthcare. “We are taking this opportunity to address the issue head-on and create meaningful ways for individuals, schools, businesses and the community alike to make a pledge to fight the obesity crisis.”
Every ShapeMichigan event is presented free of charge, and features a special viewing of segments of the HBO® documentary, The Weight of the Nation, followed by panel discussions focused on creating recommendations to improve the health of each community.
ShapeMichigan visitors can also visit an information-packed expo to meet more about adopting a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and physical activity. For updates and information on ShapeMichigan events, or to share tips and personal weight management success stories, visit the ShapeMichigan website and Facebook page.