Family-Friendly 'Walk from Obesity' Confronts Public Health Crisis

MADISON - America's No. 1 public health crisis is obesity. This disease is an epidemic that is ravaging over one-third of our adult population, yet the funds for obesity research are severely lacking. Research funding to combat obesity hasn't kept pace with the number of Americans who are struggling with weight issues.

On Saturday, September 27 at 10am, you have the opportunity to raise funds and awareness by joining us for UW Health's third annual "Walk from Obesity" at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg, Wis.

The purpose of the family-friendly walk is to raise awareness about obesity - and funds to combat it - as part of the National Walk from Obesity.

Routes will include a half-mile walk, a one-mile walk and a three-mile walk for kids and adults of all capabilities. Madison's walk is part of a national effort organized by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Foundation and the Obesity Action Coalition.

"To many people, obesity is still seen as a lifestyle choice," says Susan Reinhardt, program manager of UW Health's Bariatric Surgery Program, the event's host. "It's actually a disease - a progressive, life-threatening disease. Obesity is also one of the last bastions of discrimination, and we have to find ways to fight that."

Obesity is a complicated, multi-factorial, progressive, life-threatening, genetically-related, costly disease of excess fat storage with multiple obesity-related health conditions, such as:

• Diabetes 
• Hypertension 
• Hypercholesterolemia 
• GERD 
• Sleep apnea 
• Degenerative joint disease

"The Walk from Obesity is the single most important obesity awareness event focusing on those affected that takes place each year," said Joseph Nadglowski, Jr., Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) President and CEO and ASMBS Foundation Executive Director.

"The walk symbolizes the many nationwide efforts in the fight against obesity, morbid obesity and childhood obesity," Nadglowski added. "We encourage all those battling obesity and anyone else who would like to participate to locate their walk city and sign up today."

In 2007, Walk from Obesity generated more than 16,000 participants nationwide and raised more than $750,000 for obesity research. To date, the Walk has raised more than $2.5 million to support its efforts.

Register for the 2008 Walk from Obesity 

• Registration fee: $25 (walkers also receive a t-shirt)
• Register Online | Registration Form (PDF)

Date published: 08/05/2008