Living Well in Colorado
While Colorado is considered to be the least obese state, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising in concert with national rates, putting a large portion of our population at risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension and asthma. The key to reversing this trend is simple: Coloradans need to eat better and move more.Eating Better
Small dietary adjustments can go a long way toward improving health.
- Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet
- Eat lean meats only
- Limit saturated fat, trans-fats, salt and sugar
- Eat more whole grains and legumes
Physical activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits.
- People of all ages benefit from a moderate amount of daily physical activity. The same moderate amount of activity can be obtained in longer sessions of moderately intense activities (such as 30 minutes of brisk walking) as in shorter sessions of more strenuous activities (such as 15-20 minutes of jogging).
- Additional health benefits can be gained through greater amounts of physical activity.
- Previously sedentary people who begin physical activity programs should start with short sessions (5-10 minutes) of physical activity and gradually build up to the desired level of activity.