Susan Eichensehr can’t believe what some people eat, not only during the holidays, but year-round.
“I just freak out on nutrition,” Eichensehr said. “I freak out on what people put in their mouths for the holidays. I really don’t think people (are aware) of the effect what they put in their mouth has on their body.”
Eichensehr, general manager and personal trainer at Tri-City Fitness in St. Charles, started a program at her gym called “Downsize.” The program has run four times, and in its most recent session, eight people lost more than 10 pounds and four lost 15 to 20 pounds.
“We don’t count calories. It’s all about education and awareness,” Eichensehr said. “And the cool thing is they keep it off.”
Statistics released by America’s Health Rankings in November said the prevalence of obesity in Illinois is expected to increase from the current level of 31.5 percent obese to 43.5 percent in 2018.
AHR estimates $3.6 million is spent annually because of obesity in Illinois. With the projected jump in obesity, the cost is expected to increase to $14.8 million in 2010, or about $1,538 per adult in Illinois.
According to numbers on AHR’s Web site, Illinois has about 294 yearly deaths related to cardiovascular disease per 100,000 people.
The Kane County Health Department said one out of every six children in the county, and 19.2 percent of the entire population are obese. Paul Kuehnert, executive director for the health department, said in less affluent parts of the county, the obesity rate goes as high as one in three.
“Kane County is similar to the rest of the state and the rest of the country,” Kuehnert said. “We (have to look at) what the barriers are to ... healthy living.”
Kuehnert said the department has tried to focus energy on improving children’s health with the “Fit For Kids” initiative, which supports a culture of wellness for children. Kuehnert said one idea is to have more safe bicycle and walking routes to school for children, instead of busses.
“If we focus on children, everyone can really get behind that,” Kuehnert said.
Leslie Reed, who worked out with Downsize, said she lost 40 pounds since she started learning more about nutrition and better ways to work out.
“I think people need the information,” Reed said. “I think people think that even if they are working out, they think ‘Oh, I can just work out and eat what I want to eat and lose weight’
“That happened to me. When I started working out, well, I gained 10 pounds. I think that would be the one thing that would help people. I think they’re misled.”
Tom Peterson, head personal trainer at St. Charles’ Norris Recreation Center, said he isn’t sure whether the problem is more about motivation to work out or education.
“I think that’s the problem,” Peterson said. “Nobody has figured it out.”
Peterson said one big problem he sees is office workers who stay stationary for most of the day thinking a 30-minute workout is enough.
“You still need more than that,” Peterson said. “Not only do you have to do your 30 minutes of exercise, but you have to be somewhat physically active during the work day. ... You get an hour (for lunch). You can’t get in a half-hour, 45-minute workout at lunch at the same time, it just doesn’t work. Without a social change, I don’t see it (changing).”
Eichensehr said that no matter what the solution is, the numbers are telling and the problem must be fixed.
“This is public knowledge now, it’s not a secret,” Eichensehr said. “(The numbers) really show us why its important to (increase) our awareness.”
