Proposed bill to fight
obesity
By Sara Fisel
Staff Writer
An Indiana legislator who said Indiana is becoming
the fattest state in the nation is proposing a bill that would create
a $400,000 pilot program to help overweight Hoosiers.
State Rep. Susan Crosby, D-44th, said Indianapolis
is currently the fourth fattest city in the country and 27 percent of
Americans suffer from obesity.
The program would provide money to help women from
low-income families fight obesity and prevent the possibility of health
problems such as high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.
West Lafayette mayor Sonya Margerum has mixed feelings
about using $400,000 for such a program.
"I'm not sure we should be using this much money
on an obesity program because there are so many more important issues
that the money could be used for," said Margerum.
Margerum said Purdue has people in this general
area that are capable of working on such a project and perhaps starting
awareness campaigns.
This is a time of tight budgets and an expenditure
of such funds is questionable, said Margerum.
"Other organizations could do just as well and
it's unnecessary to pass another bill."
Although Margerum is unsure about spending $400,000
for an obesity program, she said the issue should be addressed.
There has been recognition and concern of Indiana
residents putting on a few extra pounds.
Natalie Kline, an aerobics instructor at Purdue's
Recreational Sports Center, said the $400,000 would be well worth spending.
Kline has worked at the center for four years and enjoys working with
college students.
"The (RSC) is free to college students, and this
is the only reason why the students stay in shape; otherwise it would
be a joke."
Kline feels that if the bill passes it would help
both higher and lower income families.
Kline said, "The people who are in the most trouble
are the ones that do not make it to the gym. I feel we need to change
the stereotype of gyms. It's sad that some people feel uncomfortable
going."
Other members of the Purdue community are in favor
of the bill's passage.
Nikki Cobb, a sophomore in the School of Education,
said she supports the bill but thinks $400,000 is on the low side.
"We have a lot of overweight people in the state
because of video games, laziness and the amount of food people consume,"
said Cobb, "If this bill went through and was applied correctly, it
would definitely have a positive effect on society."
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