Our Views: Talking up better health

We welcome the launch of a new website to promote healthy living in Baton Rouge, http://www.healthyBR.com. The site has a lot of good tips about the benefits of biking, walking and proper nutrition, along with helpful links to community resources. Much of the information on the site can benefit browsers from any community in south Louisiana.

The website is part of The Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative created by Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden four years ago.

In a city where many residents lack Internet access, a website promoting health will have limited reach, especially among poor residents who tend to suffer disproportionately from obesity, nicotine addiction and other health problems.

Holden seems aware that this underserved population must have access to healthy lifestyle information and options, too. In announcing the new website, Holden also promoted efforts by the nonprofit Big River Economic and Agriculture Development Alliance to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to several neighborhoods, including areas of north Baton Rouge where access to fresh produce is limited. BREADA plans to operate a food truck serving parts of north Baton Rouge and several other areas, too.

A big reason that poor, troubled neighborhoods typically have few quality grocery stores is because high crime rates discourage merchants from establishing businesses. High crime rates also discourage residents of these neighborhoods from walking or biking for exercise. Promoting law and order can help the residents of these communities to become physically healthier, too.

Even in more-affluent neighborhoods of Baton Rouge, of course, too few of us take the time to take a stroll or get on a bike. We’re glad that Holden has supported the construction of walking and biking paths to encourage more people to exercise.

Holden’s media event to launch the new website included distribution of fresh fruit to participants. That was a nice gesture in dietary moderation, although we know that in south Louisiana, the rich cuisine is a constant temptation to indulge in high-calorie fare.

This part of the world isn’t the easiest place to diet, we know, but here’s hoping that more of us can embrace the challenge.

Comments

1) Comment by nimby? - 11/10/2012

"Unlike right wingers, no one will enact laws telling you what you must do" , gee , seem to forget that little HCA thing . like free_market said there are no end to stores selling liquor and lotto tickets behind heavily barred windows , "WIC , coupons accepted" . there's always the option of growing a few vegetables , which can be done in the smallest of yards .

2) Comment by free_market - 11/10/2012

Funny, there does not appear to be a lack of payday loan and pawn shop businesses in these areas. The reason the businesses don't carry fresh fruit and vegetables is because the people who shop there don't tend to but that type of food. Most of those places are packed with junk food and booze. If the demand was there, the store owners would probably carry more of it. They are, after all, in business to make a profit.

3) Comment by unevahno - 11/10/2012

Unlike right wingers, no one will enact laws telling you what you must do. (all the new abhortion laws that make bigger government). However, the opportunity will be there for everyone to try and take care of themselves in a better manner. Health should be available to all, not just those who feel entitled.

4) Comment by Mr. T - 11/10/2012

Being Stupid, you look a lot better with a banana in your face.

5) Comment by Being_Stupid - 10/10/2012

If you want better health, better quit talking, and better start walking.

6) Comment by DMJ - 10/10/2012

Anything that promotes healthy living should be considered worth trying. Also, sidewalks and bikepaths are not just about fitness; they're about transportation. I've said it a million times: reducing traffic will require reducing driving.

7) Comment by nimby? - 10/10/2012

I tend to agree w/rgeraldwallace , good ideas but basically fluff . it's gonna be hard convincing a community that puts little value on health and education to eat right and exercise ....

8) Comment by [e-mail] - 10/10/2012

Giving away fresh fruit is a PC nonsensical and meaningless gesture; biking and hiking paths are a good idea and they're needed but only people who like to bike and hike are going to use them. Does anyone think that they will convince a dedicated couch potato to give up TV and snacks in favor of starving, drinking mineral water, chomping on raw spinach, and sweating along a hiking path?