To encourage increased physical activity, healthy diets and tobacco use prevention by sharing information with Kansans and partnering with businesses, schools and individuals to promote healthy lifestyles.

Governor Mark Parkinson has charged the Governor's Council on Fitness with promoting a statewide response to prevent chronic disease and injury among Kansans. Established in 2006 to address physical inactivity, poor nutrition and tobacco use, the Council promotes regular, lifelong physical activity and healthy eating practices which have been shown to contribute to healthy weight, prevent and/or improve most chronic diseases, and increase longevity.

According to the 2008 Kansas Behavioral Risk Factor and Surveillance System and the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey:

• 2 out of 3 Kansas adults are overweight or obese
• 1 in 4 Kansas youth are overweight or obese

• Only 20% of Kansas youth and adults eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day
• Less than half of the population meets the recommended amount of physical activity per day