A local physician is on a quest to promote healthy lifestyles in our region by getting residents off the couch and into the race
By Katrina Mailloux
HQ 57 | WINTER/SPRING 2006
We live in a nation where obesity is at epidemic proportions, where the incidence of diabetes is climbing among people ages 30 to 39, where approximately 46.5 million adults smoke cigarettes, where more than 60 percent of American adults do not get enough physical activity and more than 25 percent are not active at all.
While West Virginia ranks as one of the unhealthiest states in the nation, one Huntington man stands out as a champion of promoting healthy lifestyles in our community.
Dr. Tom Dannals, a family practitioner with the Huntington Internal Medicine Group (HIMG), began his quest in promoting a healthier community many years ago as a young physician.
Dannals, originally from upstate New York, has always been an advocate of incorporating a healthy diet and exercise into his daily life, and in fact was named as one of Huntington Quarterly’s “Top 10 Most Fit” in 2002. However, as Dannals developed his medical practice, he learned that the concept of a healthy lifestyle was foreign to many of his patients. Dannals’ interest in promoting healthy lifestyle choices among his patients was piqued in 2002 when the federal government challenged our nation to become healthier through the HealthierUS.gov initiative. This initiative is supported by the Department of Health and Human Services and maintains a website containing information to help Americans choose to live healthier lives.
“I simply want to be a part of something good in the community and break down the barriers to exercise. I want to redefine the idea of health and exercise in our community. We need to integrate healthy lifestyles into the families of our community so that they can set goals and achieve them together,” says Dannals.
One way in which Dannals hopes to achieve his goal is by founding HealthyHuntington.org, a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Huntington YMCA formed in 2003 to bring the ideals of the HealthierUS initiative to the Tri-State region. The initiative has four basic tenets:
- Promoting regular exercise.
- Encouraging a diet that is low in fat, high in fruits and vegetables and high in fiber, while de-emphasizing fad diets.
- Encouraging routine screenings, such as those for cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Avoiding bad habits such as smoking and driving while intoxicated.
Because Dannals had participated in marathons and triathlons in his past, his vision was to develop a Huntington triathlon to make a statement about the community’s initiatives toward healthy living. With the help of his wife, Beth, to whom Dannals contributes much of the initiative’s success, and dedicated members of the community, HealthyHuntington.org has sponsored two marathons and three triathlons as well as diabetes prevention runs and children’s events.
“There is something for everyone,” he says. “You can do one leg of the three-legged triathlon, or even compete in the mini-triathlon. You can wear a life vest while participating in the swim, you can walk, you can even ride your beach bike. You don’t need any fancy equipment. Just get out there and be part of something good and something fun.”
It’s easy to see why Dannals has been so successful in promoting a healthier Huntington. His attitude about healthy living is infectious and support for the initiative has grown community-wide since 2002.
This year, the HealthyHuntington.org Marathon was renamed the Marshall University Marathon. As participants neared the end of the race, they were handed flowers to drop in the Marshall University Memorial Fountain honoring the members of the Marshall University football team, families and supporters who were killed in the 1970 plane crash. As they approached the finish line at the Joan C. Edwards Stadium, participants were given footballs as a symbol that they had reached their goal. Awards for winners were fashioned out of recyclable glass, yet another symbol of giving back to the community. Thirty-six states as well as Europe and Canada were represented at the marathon.
“The future of good health in this region, as well as the country, will rest in the hands of communities choosing to follow healthier lifestyles,” says Dannals. “I am proud to part be of this initiative, and HealthyHuntington.org is prepared to lead the way.”
For more information on the organization and how you can get involved, visit their website at www.healthyhuntington.com.
4th Annual Triathlon
August 6th, 2006
3rd Annual Marshall University Marathon
November 5th, 2006
