According to a recent report, Arkansas is tied for third in the United States in obesity. Baptist Health, which has partnered with Gov. Asa Hutchinson to support the Healthy Active Arkansas initiative, continues to implement programs focused on tipping the scales in favor of slimmer figures.
“Baptist Health is committed to a healthier Arkansas," said Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health, who also serves as board president of Healthy Active Arkansas. “In addition to treating illnesses, we also want to promote wellness and prevention. Baptist Health is a proud supporter of Healthy Active Arkansas and any services and programs designed to promote healthier lifestyles where you live, work, and play.”
Baptist Health has more than 14 services and programs designed specifically for weight loss and encouraging healthier lifestyles for all ages. Among them are sponsored walking paths at local malls and the Little Rock zoo; a free community walking program; professionally supervised weight-loss programs for teens and adults; We Can!, a program that provides nutrition and physical education at schools and community centers; the Sister-to-Sister weight management program; local farmers markets; free fresh produce and cooking demonstrations for “food insecure” or “food desert” areas of the state; a bicycle rental program in Conway; sponsored marathons and bike races; diabetes and weight-loss support groups; exercise classes and free educational materials, such as guides for hiking and bike trails and eating out; and online resources, such as healthy recipes, quizzes, and risk assessments.
Stories like Jason Stormoe’s, who has lost nearly 200 pounds through the Baptist Health Weight Loss Program, is just one of many inspirational stories of Arkansans whose lives have been changed by these and other programs that can be found on the Baptist Health website.