Latest news with #StateofChildhoodObesity
Fox News
6 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Mobile teaching kitchens roll out in West Virginia to fight state's high obesity rate
Gov. Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia (R) is continuing to pave the way in the "Make America Healthy Again" movement, launching yet another healthy initiative. In an appearance on "Fox & Friends First" on Wednesday morning, the governor discussed West Virginia Health Right's mobile teaching kitchens. The nonprofit "clinics on wheels" will travel across the state to demonstrate healthy cooking tips, share nutrition information with residents and conduct health exams such as blood pressure readings and body mass index checks. The governor opened his home, inviting West Virginians to the mansion to allow families to see how to practice healthy habits on their own. "People came by and learned that you can eat very [healthily] for a very reasonable price," he said. "And it's not that hard to cook [this food] and have it taste really good as well," he added. West Virginia has the highest childhood obesity rate in America, at over 42%. That's according to the State of Childhood Obesity organization. I was pleased to join WV Health Right to unveil their Mobile Teaching Kitchen to help educate West Virginians on how to prepare healthy meals at home. Making healthy food choices is important to making West Virginia healthy again. "Here in West Virginia, we're trying to make West Virginia healthy again," Morrisey said. "Because unfortunately, we've led the way [on] a lot of the disease states that have really hurt our state, whether obesity or diabetes or stroke or many other items." He added, "We want to make sure that we reverse those bad trends and you have to start one step at a time or one good bite at a time." Morrisey shared that the program is just another step in his four MAHA pillars for the Mountain State. The state has defined the pillars as the following: clean up the food; find purpose, find health, move your body; change your life; and reward healthy choices. "We've encouraged people to get out and exercise and I'm trying to lead by example, you know, every day trying to walk over 10,000 steps and just encourage people to go out and walk," said Morrisey in part. The state plans to designate official "Mountaineer Mile trails" in its 32 state parks that have hiking trails. "We're getting a lot of traction with our Mountaineer Mile, and everyone knows the importance of getting out and working and walking," Morrisey previously told Fox News Digital. "That's really starting to gain a lot of strength in West Virginia." Another day, another #MountaineerMile, and some relaxation, in one of our many beautiful lakes and state parks. #WVStateParks #StonewallResort Getting Americans healthy again requires a multipronged approach to reducing rates of obesity, diabetes, stroke and congestive heart failure, according to the governor. "You're taking the crap out of the food, you're incentivizing people to eat good food … making sure people are working and have purposeful lives, and then we're also encouraging people to go out and exercise," Morrisey previously told Fox News Digital.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. Mercilessly Fat Shames West Virginia Governor at Live Joint Appearance
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared in West Virginia on Friday, March 28, to discuss the state's health initiatives — but also made a few rude remarks at Governor Patrick Morrisey's expense. During the joint live appearance, they spoke about the administration having West Virginia lead the 'Make America Healthy Again' movement and save federal tax dollars as well, WVVA reports. Morrisey, 57, introduced Kennedy, 70, to the stage for the event. During his speech, Kennedy began to fat-shame Gov. Morrisey, as seen in a video published by The New York Post. He made several comments about the Republican politician's weight, even suggesting public monthly weigh-ins. Kennedy told the crowd he and Morrisey met during the early stages of the Trump transition. 'I said to Governor Morrisey the first time I saw him, I said, 'You look like you ate Governor Morrisey,' ' Kennedy recalled. Related: RFK Jr. Says 'This Will Be a Painful Period' as Trump Administration Cuts 10K Jobs from Federal Health Agencies 'There was a lot of talk about getting healthy again, and I'm very happy that he's invited me to be his personal trainer,' he said before the crowd laughed. 'I'm going to put him on a really rigorous regimen,' Kennedy continued. 'And we're going to put him on a carnivore diet.' Kennedy then asked the crowd if Morrisey should do a 'public weigh-in once a month.' He added that if Morrisey lost 30 pounds, he would return to West Virginia to celebrate and do a public weigh-in with him. 'You're welcome, Denise,' Kennedy said, referring to West Virginia's first lady. But Morrisey joked back, 'That may be a little more than I bargained for.' Related: RFK Jr. Wants to Let Bird Flu Spread on Farms. Meanwhile the Pandemic Response Office Is Down to 1 Staffer In his opening remarks, Morrisey said West Virginia ranks at the bottom for several health metrics. The state has the highest obesity rating in the country and is the second state to have the lowest life expectancy rates, according to the State of Childhood Obesity and the World Population Review, respectively. Morrisey plans to implement the 'Four Pillars of a Healthy West Virginia.' The first pillar is 'Clean Up the Food,' and adheres to the recently signed legislation that bans certain dyes in public school lunches, per WVVA. It will eventually impact all foods in the state. The second pillar is to get West Virginians back to work by 'expanding the current mandatory employment and training requirements necessary to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] benefits,' the Senate bill reads. The third focuses on getting residents to move their bodies, per WVVA. The fourth and final pillar is 'Reward Healthy Food Choices.' He said that SNAP recipients will need more nutritious and quality foods and SNAP will need to be 'realigned' with those goals. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The press conference concluded with Morrisey signing the request for a waiver that the state can bar citizens from using SNAP to purchase soda, per WVVA. Read the original article on People
