At the Wetzel County Commission meeting held Tuesday, the commission passed a resolution noting Jan. 19 as West Virginia Physical Activity Day. The resolution is in support of the West Virginia Physical Activity Plan that is also being announced in Charleston at the West Virginia State Capitol.

The resolution reads:

Whereas, the goal of this day is to support the announcement and subsequent implementation of Active WV 2015: WV Physical Activity Plan; and

Whereas, a population engaged in a physically active lifestyle can help to combat the epidemic levels of obesity and chronic diseases among state and local residents; and

Whereas, all sectors of our communities must cooperate to support activities necessary to increase physical activity including: health care, public health, education, business and industry, mass media, parks, recreation, fitness, and sports; transportation, and volunteer and non-profit; and

Whereas, all those who live, work, or play in West Virginia can be a part of increasing physical activity by supporting physical activity at school, in the community, and within families.

Now, therefore be it resolved by the County Commission of Wetzel, that Jan. 19, 2012, be noted as: West Virginia Physical Activity Day.

“Increasing physical activity is important to our state because it can prevent many chronic diseases, improve the health of our citizens, as well as improve overall quality of life,” says Commission President Don Mason.

“We are pleased to have the support of the Wetzel County Commission. Involvement at every level of our state is important to helping our citizens get more physically active and enjoy the benefits,” says Eloise Elliott, PhD, chair of the West Virginia Physical Activity Plan Coordinating Committee.

West Virginia is one of the first states to develop a state plan and is receiving national attention.

Science shows that physical activity can reduce your risk of dying early from the leading causes of death, like heart disease and some cancers. This is remarkable in two ways: Only a few lifestyle choices have as large an impact on your health as physical activity. People who are physically active for about seven hours a week have a 40 percent lower risk of dying early than those who are active for less than 30 minutes a week. Also, you don’t have to do high amounts of activity or vigorous-intensity activity to reduce your risk of premature death.

You can put yourself at lower risk of dying early by doing at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

Everyone can gain the health benefits of physical activity. Age, ethnicity, shape, or size do not matter.

For more information visit www.wvphysicalactivity.org