Your Health: Making The Right Lifestyle Choices

As a community we have some serious health issues.

But with education and motivation, things can improve.

The success rate for winning the battle to stay healthy in the north country seems grim at face value.

It's a high poverty, low education area and there are some major health problems.

"We have a high rate of obesity and a high rate of smoking and we have a high rate of people not doing enough physical activity that leads to a lot of chronic diseases," said Faith Lustik of Jefferson County Public Health.

High on that list is diabetes; the number of cases is skyrocketing.

"Which brings along with it all the other illnesses such and heart disease, stroke, kidney failure that go along with diabetes and obesity," said Nancy Spicer, a nurse practitioner with Watertown Internists.

All of the health professionals involved in a seminar at Transitional Living Services agree that we can change that - it's up to each of us to decide to eat healthier, get up and get moving.

"No matter what what your activity level is now, everybody can up their activity level...Sneakers are cheap. Walking is free," said Chris Page of Page Fitness Athletic Club in Watertown.

"We need to be more in tune with eating fresh fruits and vegetables and more away from the processed food," said Spicer.

It's also important to quit smoking and make sure you have the recommended health screening tests done on a regular basis.

All of those on the panel agreed - it's up to each of us to be our own health advocate and make lifestyle choices that put us on the right path.