Town of Snow Hill in Greene County, North Carolina

The purpose of this 73 mile walk, from Snow Hill to the Capital Building in Raleigh, is to demonstrate concern and a sense of urgency about the problem of childhood obesity in North Carolina.

Snow HIll resident David Jones will start walking from Snow Hill on October 16th, and will finish at the Capital Building in Raleigh on October 21st. Please join any portion of the walk including visiting with our legislators in Raleigh on the 21st at the conclusion of the walk.

More Information

In the US, obesity is the most common chronic disease among children. North Carolina had the 5th highest ranking for obese children and youth in the US in 2007. Nationally 17% of children and youth are obese while in North Carolina 31% are obese. These children and youth often contract traditionally “adult diseases”, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and depression. Obese children also endure ostracizing, bullying, teasing, social stigma, and low self esteem.

Excess weight significantly impacts medical costs. In the US, direct medical costs attributed to obesity exceed $92 billion per year. Medical costs for obese people average 37% higher. In North Carolina, obesity accounts for $2 billion of total medical expenditures annually. Public health experts predict that each overweight or obese child in North Carolina will incur over $200,000 in direct medical expense in their lifetime.

Obesity even has a negative effect on national security. 20% of women and 40% of men are too heavy to be accepted into the military. This does not include those that get in and fail physical achievement tests.

Statistics aside, let us apply some common sense. Childhood obesity is a problem that can definitely be solved because obesity is preventable, obesity is reversible, and adults are responsible for childhood obesity.

This is a critical national priority. Every responsible adult must act to make sure our children and youth are exposed to quality physical activity, quality physical education, and quality health education on a regular basis.

Our collective future depends upon it.

Many thanks to our sponsors

-American Volkssport Association, Universal City, TX
-East Carolina University Center for Geographic
-Information Science, Greenville, NC
-Generation Excel, Inc., Boston, MA
-Hooker’s Creative Designs, Snow Hill, NC
-New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc., Charlotte NC
-Outdoor Provision Company, Greenville, NC
-Commissioners from the Town of Snow Hill and the Greene County Commissioners have each passed resolutions in support of “Ready, Set,Walk Club’s Effort to Combat Childhood Obesity
-Cartographic support: ECU GISci Center; flyer design and photos of David Jones and Betty Carmon by K. Mulcahy. Summing individual walk segments may not equal 73mi due to rounding and variations in map source estimates.

Download and Print the Walk for Childhood Obesity (PDF)