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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2005

CONTACT: Heather Baer
	  Columbia/Boone County Health Department
	  (573) 874-7632

Healthy lifestyles in action: cyclists bike across Missouri
									
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - Cyclists are riding across the state of
Missouri along the KATY trail during the week of June 20-25 to promote
physical fitness and tourism. On Wednesday, June 22, the cyclists will
stop in Columbia at the future site of the YouZeum* (formally known as
the Health Adventure Center). 
	Cyclists include Missouri Speaker of the House Rod Jetton and
the Mayor of Centralia Jerry Parmeley. Mayor Parmeley will speak about
his personal experience with physical fitness and how it has changed his
life since suffering from a heart attack several years ago.
	The public is invited to join the cyclists at a "health
stop" at the YouZeum* at 11:30 am. Information and activities will
be available for all ages including: blood pressure checks, blood sugar
tests, nutrition, body mass index (BMI) readings, smoking cessation and
local physical activity resources.  
	Physical activity and good nutrition are factors in leading a
healthy lifestyle and reducing chronic illness. 
*	Since 1980, overweight rates have doubled among children and
tripled among adolescents - increasing the number of years they are
exposed to the health risks of obesity. (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention)
*	Being overweight as an adult increases blood pressure and
cholesterol levels. It increases the chances of getting type 2 diabetes
and developing other health problems. Plus, overweight people are at
greater risk of becoming obese. (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention)
*	There are thousands of health promoting phytochemicals found in
plants. Research is just beginning to understand how they work to
improve health, so it's important to eat a wide variety of colorful
orange/yellow, red, green, white, and blue/purple vegetables and fruit
every day. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
*	Physical activity does not need to be hard to provide some
benefit. Participating in moderate-intensity physical activity is a
vital component of a healthy lifestyle for people of all ages and
abilities. There is no demographic or social group in America that could
not benefit from becoming more active. (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention) 

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