Taylor Bembery
Blue & White Flash / Variety Editor
The streets surrounding Jackson State University were filled with 500 runners and walkers who donated their time to walk or run for one common goal — to fight against obesity during the 7th Annual Walter Payton Sweetness 5K Run/Walk on March 30th.
Mississippi holds the title of being “The Fattest State” in the country and studies show that 34.9 percent of its residents weighed in as obese in 2012. This percentage has more than doubled in the last 20 years, from 15 to 35 percent since 1991.
Patrick House, winner of Season 10 The Biggest Loser from Vicksburg, Miss., was a guest and host at the event. House shared how losing 243 pounds helped him get to a healthier lifestyle.
“Changing my life, people always ask me ‘what diet are you on now?’ I always tell people I’m not on any kind of diet, I’m on a lifestyle change. I just don’t do the things that I use to do,” said House.
Hosted by the Walter Payton Recreation and Wellness Center at JSU, this event was the culmination of a week of fitness and health-related activities that was designed to get the community and students aware of their health and to kick start their journey to a healthier lifestyle.
Rachel Cowan, Director of the Payton Center, said this year’s run/walk was different from past years.
“This year we partnered with Patrick House, because the 5K is the fight against obesity. He’s the winner of the Biggest Loser who lost over 243 pounds. We partnered with him to help lay the foundation and bring about awareness and educating about obesity by letting people know that you can have fun and be physically fit,” said Cowan
Cowan also stressed the importance of students being aware of obesity.
“Being a college student, it’s important not only to be healthy but also [to look healthy]. You can have the education but if you are walking into a job interview 330 pounds, your employer is looking at health insurance, how much is it going to be to keep you at this job,” said Cowan.
Cowan said she always tells people who want to get fit to first start doing things you love. “For example if you like to dance join a dancing class, if you like to run join a running club. Get yourself around the same people with the same positive mindset as you and set small goals to start a healthier lifestyle.”
All proceeds from the event went to the Live Well Fund, which provides scholarships for students, aged 5 to 16, to attend Camp Tiger Tails in the summer. The fund also awards memberships for individuals that are struggling with weight, fighting obesity and that need help and cannot afford it, or may be able to afford it but don’t know where to start or how to keep going with a lifetime membership
The recipient this year of the Lifetime Membership from the Live Well Fund was Cynthia Thompson, a Payton Center member and Jackson native who worked diligently over the past year to lose 100 pounds.
Students appreciated the opportunity to learn more about healthy lifestyles
Tirra Braddy, a graduate student majoring in biology from Jackson, Miss., said that involvement in the run/walk shows support for other people and encouragement to live a healthy lifestyle.
“I support events like this around the city, health fairs, and staying involved in the gym. I’m also starting my own non-profit organization that will target going around the state of Mississippi to help people lose weight and create weight loss support groups in the state,” said Braddy.
After the run/walk, there were festivities like healthy cooking demonstrations, music, face painting, a health fair, and an Easter egg hunt for small children.
