Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 09:08:07 -0400
From: “Kathy Hotelling”
Subject: Misinformation
I would like to add facts to the repeated comments about the Obesity Coordinator position in Chatham County.
North Carolina is ranked 37th in obesity in the country. Chatham County ranks 80th out of 100 counties.
Why is this important? Obesity is one of the greatest health threats in the US…it significantly contributes to many serious illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, strokes, certain cancers, and poor health in general. It is the leading cause of preventable death, causing around 200,000 deaths a year. The causes of obesity are complex and include lifestyle and social and physical environments, as well as genetics and medical history. Inactivity and poor diet are major contributors to obesity and there are many interventions that can help people change their lifestyles to live at a weigh that is not dangerous.
To give you a context for my comments, I am a psychologist with a specialty in eating disorders. Obesity is not irrelevant to our well being and the well being of communities.
Kathy Hotellin, Ph.D.
Consulting Psychologist