SC officials promote health during Obesity Month

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — State health officials want South Carolinians to get up and keep moving to help fight obesity.

June is Obesity Awareness Month, and the state Department of Health and Environmental Control wants people to make healthy decisions this month about what they eat and how they take care of themselves.

DHEC’s Erika Kirby says South Carolina’s high rates of heart disease and diabetes are linked to poor nutrition and obesity rates.

To fight those high numbers, Kirby says South Carolinians need to recognize that people need safe places to get exercise and better access to healthy foods.