The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

September 25, 2010

Assistant Surgeon General visits GEHS

By Tina Alvey Register-Herald Reporter

FAIRLEA — A week of events at Greenbrier East High School focusing on encouraging teens to make healthy choices culminated Friday morning with an address by Assistant U.S. Surgeon General RADM Scott Giberson.

“As young men and women, you can help change our nation’s health,” Giberson told the students. “You are the promise of a healthier America.”

Speaking during an assembly attended by students, faculty, administrators and community leaders, Giberson said, “It’s one of the best parts of my job — speaking to the youth of America.”

He cited statistics showing two out of three Americans are overweight or obese, adding that one out of three children in this county also falls into that category. To cure the obesity problem, Giberson said, healthy eating and physical activity are both important.

He said teens often make poor food choices, consuming too much “energy-dense fatty food.” In addition to controlling portion size and choosing healthier foods, Giberson said everyone should drink more water, proclaiming, “It’s the building block of a healthy body.”

Sedentary activities, such as computer games and television viewing, dominate large chunks of teens’ time, Giberson said, suggesting they should find a way to build physical activity into each day, even by such simple measures as taking the stairs instead of an elevator.

He also touched on such related topics as seatbelt use, texting while driving and sexual choices.

To produce change, the entire community must be supportive of the healthier behavior, Giberson maintained.

“It’s critically important that we support each other,” he said. “It takes positive energy and synergy.”

From a personal standpoint, he offered recommendations:

- Figure out what you are passionate about and focus your energy in a positive way on that passion.

- Maintain a balance in your life in such a way that you become and remain mentally and physically strong.

- Build positive relationships.

“Gradually make these changes,” he encouraged his audience, emphasizing that making healthy choices is a process that lasts a lifetime.

Friday’s assembly was sponsored by the Greenbrier East chapter of HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) and the Greenbrier Valley MRC (Medical Reserve Corps).

— E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com

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