DES MOINES – Today, Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg helped promote the Healthiest State Initiative’s goal to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. Gov Reynolds participated in the organizations’ annual walk in Des Moines while Lt. Governor Adam Gregg participated in the Mason City and Corwith walks.
Watch Gov. Reynolds’ remarks on Facebook here.
“The Healthiest State Initiative brings Iowans together to work toward an important goal to become the healthiest state in the nation. This year’s Healthiest State Walk gets us ‘moving’ in the right direction,” said Gov. Renolds. “Good health enriches the lives of Iowans and strengthens our communities, and it starts with each one of us creating our own healthy habits.”
“Iowans are motivated people, and focusing our efforts on improving overall health will benefit the entire state,” said Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg. “From Des Moines, to Mason City and from Davenport to Council Bluffs, Iowans are stepping up to get healthier.”
The Healthiest State Initiative partners with early care, out-of-school programs, schools, health care and workplaces to help make Iowa the healthiest state in the country. To help promote that goal, Gov. Reynolds challenged Iowans to do 30 minutes each day of low impact, moderate exercise like walking throughout the year to come. Just a half hour makes a tremendous difference toward whole body health.
Reynolds also signed a proclamation designating October 2019 as Healthiest State Month in Iowa. The proclamation reads:
WHEREAS, the Healthiest State Initiative has set the goal for Iowa to become the healthiest state in the nation by improving the physical, social and emotional well-being of Iowans; and
WHEREAS, helping Iowa’s kids create healthy habits early is an important step in securing a healthy future for our state; and
WHEREAS, Iowa launched “Healthy Choices Count!” – a scientifically proven, health-focused movement that’s under the nationally recognized program, 5-2-1-0; and
WHEREAS, the principles of 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! encourages Iowa’s kids daily to eat five or more fruits and vegetables, engage in two hours or less of recreational screen time, participate in one hour or more of physical activity, and consume zero sugary drinks and more water daily; and
WHEREAS, the Healthiest State Initiative partners with early care, out-of-school programs, schools, health care and workplaces to catalyze change to support the healthy choice as the easy choice for Iowans in the places where they live, learn, work and play:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kim Reynolds, Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby proclaim October 2019 as HEALTHIEST STATE MONTH in Iowa.
Signed this 2nd day of October, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa.