Springfield, YMCA challenge obesity, inactivity

Several diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, can be traced directly to obesity.

The local YMCA is one of 20 YMCAs chosen to participate in the initiative, called Activate America: Pioneering Healthier Communities. Both the initiative and the community visioning team were announced at a Nov. 16 press conference at the Jones Family YMCA, 1901 E. Republic Road.

Local team

Through the Activate America initiative, local community leaders from government, public health and private sectors joined to drive a forceful response to the challenge of promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The community leaders selected to the strategic visionary team are: Jodie Adams, assistant director of Parks, Springfield-Greene County Park Board; Jim Anderson, president, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Roseann Bentley, Greene County Commission; Roy Blunt, U. S. Congressman, 7th District; Tom Carlson, Springfield mayor; Rhoda Clark, development director, Ozarks Regional YMCA; Matt Gifford, vice president and general manager, Springfield Cardinals; Sally Hargis, vice president of corporate strategy, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co.; Lisa Nally, president, ACR Nally Communications; Mike Peters, vice president of public affairs, St. John’s Health System; Ron Prenger, vice president of support services and administrator, Cox Walnut Lawn; Norman Ridder, superintendent, Springfield Public Schools; Deb Scott, commercial and investment real estate sales agent, Wilhoit Properties; and Brad Toft, CEO, Ozarks Regional YMCA.

Visionary team members will assemble at the Activate America: Pioneering Healthier Communities National Conference in Washington, D.C., Nov. 30–Dec. 2. The conference will provide a platform for these leaders to develop the strategies and action plans that will respond to the health and wellness challenges that the citizens of Springfield-Greene County face.