Congressman Sanford Bishop

Representing the 2nd District of Georgia

REP. SANFORD BISHOP PUSHES FOR THE DESIGNATION OF A NATIONAL “GET VERTICAL” DAY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) introduced a resolution in the United States House of Representatives to designate a national “Get Vertical” Day to encourage Americans – especially adults – to incorporate physical activity in their workday so that they may live healthier and more productive lives.

“Physical inactivity is responsible for an estimated 1 in 10 deaths each year,” said Congressman Bishop. “A national ‘Get Vertical’ Day is an important first step in spreading awareness about the public health dangers of inactivity and sedentary lifestyles.”

The prevalence of obesity has skyrocketed over the last twenty-five years, with over one-third of American adults now classified as obese. The problem is particularly acute for ethnic and racial minorities as well as people with disabilities, who face disproportionately high obesity and diabetes rates.

"We have become a sitting-society," said John Robitscher, CEO of the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. "That puts us all at risk. It is time to stand up, to move, to do whatever we can to get vertical."

Despite the growing attention to our nation’s dramatic increase in obesity rates, an overlooked factor is the amount of time Americans spend sitting down. Those working in a corporate environment generally drive to work sitting down, hold meetings sitting down, eat sitting down, work on computers sitting down, and talk on the phone sitting down. Outside of going to the restroom or getting coffee, time sitting down accumulates to over six hours a day, five days a week.

In fact, only 22% of Americans report regular sustained physical activity and only 5% of adults achieve the recommended 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. In addition, people with disabilities can experience nearly double the rates of inactivity as people without disabilities. According to the CDC, most adults with disabilities are able to participate in physical activity, yet nearly half of them get no aerobic physical activity.

Participating in “active” workplace events, such as walking lunches, standing phone calls, and interactive meetings all are minor behavioral alterations that can have profound health impacts. Indeed, walking 10,000 steps a day leads to a 90% reduction in heart attacks, a 30% to 70% reduction in cancer rates, a 50% reduction in Type 2 diabetes, and a 70% reduction in strokes.

“It is time for us to stand up against obesity!” concluded Congressman Bishop.

Twenty Representatives have joined Congressman Bishop as original co-sponsors of this resolution: Reps. Bass, Beatty, Butterfield, Carson, Clarke, Clay, Cleaver, Clyburn, Fudge, Hastings, Jeffries, Johnson, Kelly, Lewis, Norton, Rangel, Sewell, Thompson, Wasserman Shultz, and Waters.

In addition, the resolution is supported by The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE), The National Physical Activity Society , The American Association on Health and Disability, the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health, the North East Texas Public Health District, Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI), International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, Population Health Alliance, Omada Health, Bioscape Digital, and The Lakeshore Foundation.

To view a copy of the resolution, please note attached:

NationalGetVerticalDayResolution.pdf

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113th Congress