Michigan is fat. A growing trend in Michigan and the nation is the steady increase in overweight adults. In 1998, the Michigan Department of Community Health estimated that 34.8% of Michigan residents were overweight. As a result, we were ranked ninth in the nation for overweight adult population.

Michigan citizens need more physical activity such as biking, running, and walking to get into better shape. One way to get that physical activity is to use greenways. Greenways are linear belts that often provide a relaxing and safe way to bike, run and walk. A growing number of Michigan communities are building and enjoying these nature routes. For example, Ingham County is developing 15 miles of greenway trails that will connect several communities and provide a safe walkway.

"Trails and greenways provide an infrastructure for safe and convenient mobility, a key factor in a person's decision making in recreation and transportation. If a trails network hooks up neighborhoods with places people want to go, the decision to get there by foot or bike is readily made, and the habit evolves into a lifestyle which guards against or helps to remedy obesity," says Nancy Krupiarz, State Director of the Michigan field office of Rails-to-Trails. Rails-to-Trails is a leader in converting the state's abandoned railroad corridors to trails and has made Michigan a recognized national leader in rail-trail conversions.

Michigan needs to get up and get active. In 1998, the Michigan Department of Community Health reported that nearly one in four adults said they did not participate in any physical activity during their leisure time in the month prior to being surveyed. Just increasing physical activity to a moderate level can greatly reduce health problems, even if an individual is not overweight.

Poor diet and lack of physical activity are the biggest contributors to the large percentage of overweight people in Michigan. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), "poor diet and a lack of physical activities are second only to smoking as a cause of preventable death." Being significantly overweight can greatly increase risks for dangerous medical conditions including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. In 1996, it was estimated that 250,000 deaths in the United States annually are linked to physical inactivity. During the same period, over three million adults in Michigan were estimated to lead sedentary lifestyles.

Richard E. Killingsworth, MPH, the Director of the Active Living by Design National Program Office at the University of North Carolina, is considered one of the foremost experts on the subject of obesity and greenway utilization.

"Recent evidence suggests that structured activities such as going to the gym only resonate with a small percentage of the population. The preference for most Americans is close-to-home facilities, such as parks, trails and other green space. Approaches focused on making our community environments more activity-friendly through these facilities could enable millions of sedentary Americans to seamlessly integrate physical activity into their lives," says Killingsworth.

Besides the obvious health benefits of walking or biking on a greenway, people get a beautiful way to connect back with nature. Greenways allow people to enjoy a beautiful, spacious setting. If Michigan residents experience the fresh air and inviting scenery greenways have to offer, they will develop a stronger connection to natural resources and a greater determination to protect them.

Three greenways in Michigan:

Battle Creek Linear Park
Activities: Walking, biking, cross-country skiing, in-line skating, fishing, wheelchair accessible
Length: 17 miles

Hancock/Calumet Trail
Location: Hancock to Calumet
Activities: Walking, horseback riding, biking, snowmobiles, mountain biking
Length: 13 miles

Lansing River Trail
Activities: Walking, biking, in-line skating, fishing, wheelchair accessible
Length: 8 miles

Additional trails in Michigan can be found at http://www.traillink.com/.