Stories about Fitness & Obesity Awareness

1. 

   Forces at Play

   Could the path to happiness start at your local park? It sounds too good to be true, but research increasingly shows it’s a real possibility. A recent study of well-being in 44 major cities across the U.S. found that park coverage was among the best predictors of residents’ health and happiness. The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation is investing in Memphis parks through its first BlueCross Healthy Place project, the revitalization of David Carnes Park in the city’s Whitehaven neighborhood. “Concentrating our giving on BlueCross Healthy Places will allow us to have a bigger impact within our communities, reaching both urban and rural areas across the state,” said Scott Wilson, BlueCross director of community relations and health foundation. “We’re […]

   Forces at Play: Exploring the intuitive design of the upcoming BlueCross Healthy Place at David Carnes Park in Memphis

   Could the path to happiness start at your local park? It sounds too good to be true, but research increasingly shows it’s a real possibility. A recent study of well-being in 44 major cities across the U.S. found that park coverage was among the best predictors of residents’ health and happiness. The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation is investing in Memphis parks through its first BlueCross Healthy Place project, the revitalization of David Carnes Park in the city’s Whitehaven neighborhood. “Concentrating our giving on BlueCross Healthy Places will allow us to have a bigger impact within our communities, reaching both urban and rural areas across the state,” said Scott Wilson, BlueCross director of community relations and health foundation. “We’re […]
2. 

   Step Outside

   Walking is good for you — this we know. But does it matter where you walk? One recent study shows it might. People who walked through nature for 90 minutes showed reduced activity in parts of the brain linked to mental illness compared to people who walked through a city. Other studies have shown that walking in nature — or even just viewing pictures of nature — can improve a person’s ability to concentrate and problem solve. In Tennessee, we’re surrounded by nature, which means we can take advantage of its restorative properties every day. Here are 5 places where you can do that without ever leaving the city: Chattanooga’s Riverwalk The Chattanooga Riverwalk stretches 13 miles along the Tennessee […]

   Step Outside: 5 places to embrace the outdoors in Tennessee cities

   Walking is good for you — this we know. But does it matter where you walk? One recent study shows it might. People who walked through nature for 90 minutes showed reduced activity in parts of the brain linked to mental illness compared to people who walked through a city. Other studies have shown that walking in nature — or even just viewing pictures of nature — can improve a person’s ability to concentrate and problem solve. In Tennessee, we’re surrounded by nature, which means we can take advantage of its restorative properties every day. Here are 5 places where you can do that without ever leaving the city: Chattanooga’s Riverwalk The Chattanooga Riverwalk stretches 13 miles along the Tennessee […]
3. 

   Walking in Memphis

   “Just start walking.” When doctors encourage people to start exercising, walking is often step one. It’s an activity most people can do, it’s easy and it’s free — but it’s not always that simple. “You can’t tell someone to go and walk their neighborhood if there’s no sidewalk, or to walk around the park if there’s no park,” says Jenny Bartlett-Prescott, senior director of integrated health programs for Church Health in Memphis. As a nonprofit providing services to those with little or no access to health care, Church Health sees firsthand how the environment matters. The built environment includes all of the physical parts of where we live and work: homes, buildings, streets, open spaces. According to the CDC, the […]

   Walking in Memphis: How the built environment affects health: Q&A with Church Health’s Jenny Bartlett-Prescott

   “Just start walking.” When doctors encourage people to start exercising, walking is often step one. It’s an activity most people can do, it’s easy and it’s free — but it’s not always that simple. “You can’t tell someone to go and walk their neighborhood if there’s no sidewalk, or to walk around the park if there’s no park,” says Jenny Bartlett-Prescott, senior director of integrated health programs for Church Health in Memphis. As a nonprofit providing services to those with little or no access to health care, Church Health sees firsthand how the environment matters. The built environment includes all of the physical parts of where we live and work: homes, buildings, streets, open spaces. According to the CDC, the […]