Lighten Up Iowa shows good results

The final numbers are in on “Lighten Up Iowa” — the program created to get Iowans to shed some of their excess pounds. The teams involved could chose to lose weight, or increase their physical activity. Iowa Games executive director Jim Hallihan says the program lasted five months and many people stuck it out.He says the midpoint weigh-in is pretty good, but by the end some have dropped out. Hallihan says those involved lost 19-thousand pounds. Hallihan says it’s not just about losing weight, it’s also about changing your lifestyle. He says they have to realize nutritionally they have to pay attention to what they’re eating and how much. The Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa State University’s Extension Department helped the Iowa Games in implementing the program. Hallihan says it’s an important program to turn the tide against obesity in the state. He says the amount of sugar we’ve consumed compared to 25 or 30 years ago has gotten out of hand. He says it takes a pendulum swing to one side before we realize things have gotten out of hand. Hallihan says Lighten Up Iowa came along at the right time. This is the second year for the program, and a third is scheduled for next year.