MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES EASIER IN HUNTINGTON

It's no secret that obesity in our area is a growing problem, but a group of organizations is trying to eliminate it by making healthy choices easier. Nearly 15 organizations met to discuss ways to make changes in the community that impact the way we live, according to John Yauch with Change the Future of West Virginia. Yauch says this program focuses on changing our environment instead of changing individual behavior. "Obesity rates in the last probably 15 to 20 years have really sky rocketed and trying to work on individual behavior alone hasn't been working that's why we're trying to focus on more of a population health based approach so people can go out and have access to physical activity and access to healthier foods," Yauch said. The plan centers around providing more biking and walking paths as well as more farmer's markets.