HeartsNParks Community Mobilization Guide - National Heart, Lung ...

About Hearts N’ Parks
Hearts N’ Parks is a national, community-based program supported by the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health and the National Recreation and Park
Association (NRPA). This innovative program aims to reduce the growing trend of obesity and the
risk of coronary heart disease in the United States by encouraging Americans of all ages to aim for a
healthy weight, follow a heart-healthy eating plan, and engage in regular physical activity.
Why are these goals important?
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death in
the United States. Overweight and obesity
increase one’s risk of developing heart disease.
• The numbers of overweight children and
adolescents, as well as obese adults, in the
United States have doubled over the past 2
decades. Approximately 97 million American
adults—or 55 percent—are currently overweight
or obese. In addition, one in five children
over the age of 6 is considered overweight,
and overweight and obesity acquired during
childhood or adolescence may persist into
adulthood and increase the risk for some
chronic diseases later in life. In addition to
being more likely to develop heart disease
and stroke than individuals with healthy
weights, overweight and obese individuals are
at increased risk for diabetes, cancer,
gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and other
respiratory problems, osteoarthritis, and
other conditions.
• Adopting heart-healthy behaviors, such as
following a healthy eating plan and participating
in regular physical activity, can help
individuals achieve or maintain a healthy
weight. Even modest amounts of weight loss
of approximately 10 percent of initial body
weight can reduce high blood pressure, high
blood cholesterol levels, and high blood
glucose levels in overweight or obese
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