Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness

Regular physical activity reduces a person's risk of coronary disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and colon cancer. It also helps control weight, reduces the symptoms of anxiety and depression and helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.

Because physical activity and proper nutrition are at the core of maintaining good health and preventing disease, Governor Perry established the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness. The 15-member council is charged with promoting physical activity and good nutrition to all Texans, advising the Governor on matters relating to health and nutrition education, physical fitness and sports, and encouraging local community efforts to increase opportunities for physical activity.

To promote physical activity, Governor Perry has teamed up with numerous partners across the state to launch the Texas Round-Up. The Round-Up will demonstrate that an active lifestyle can be enjoyable and feasible for anyone, regardless of their current activity level or their busy schedule. It will provide an on-going web-based program to follow, and rewards for participation. This spring, there will also be a celebration day in Austin that will include a "Texasize 10K", a fitness festival and health expo, and a post-day concert. This event hopes to attract thousands statewide to celebrate healthy Texans.

Executive Order establishing the Council
Press Release on Council appointments
Press Release on Diabetes Education Initiative
Press Release on Texas Round-Up
Radio Address on Texas Round-Up [1MB MP3] [Transcript]

Diabetes Education Initiative

"It is time Texas stepped up the fight against this debilitating disease through educational efforts aimed at promoting better fitness and better dietary practices among our state’s citizens. Armed with facts and motivated to live healthier lives, Texans can reverse the chronic diabetes trend.” - Gov. Rick Perry

Governor Perry's Diabetes Education Initiative will provide citizens with information to prevent and control diabetes, which affects more than 1 million Texans. As part of the initiative, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and the Texas Diabetes Council will review the latest research to develop healthy eating and physical fitness guidelines for adults and children.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that converts sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. There are several types of diabetes, but the most common is Type 2, which accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes cases. Research indicates that lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes, even among high-risk adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes include Latinos, African-Americans, those over the age of 45, anyone with a family history of diabetes, and people who are overweight. Health complications resulting from diabetes include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease and nervous system disease.

Resources

Texas Diabetes Council
Texercise
Texas Round-Up

American Diabetes Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
National Diabetes Education Program
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases