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Proclamation

From the Governor of the State of Maryland

WALK MARYLAND DAY

OCTOBER 4, 2023


WHEREAS,

Daily physical acti​vity such as walking provides many health benefits, including helping people maintain a healthy weight, and people who are physically active live longer and have a lower risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depressi​on, and some cancers; and

WHEREAS,

National goals for physical activity, including the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, recommend that adults engage in 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity and children and adolescents engage in 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day; and

WHEREAS,

According to the 2019 Maryland Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, only 52 percent of Marylanders engage in 150 minutes of physical activity weekly; and

WHEREAS,

According to the 2021 Maryland Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, only 31.3 percent of Maryland adults were at a healthy weight with 68.7 percent being either overweight or obese; physical activity, as part of a healthy lifestyle, is recommended to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight; walking is an accessible way to stay active, and Maryland citizens are encouraged to walk to achieve daily physical activity; and

WHEREAS,

Enhanced access to places for physical activity combined with informational outreach activities is an evidence-based strategy to increase physical activity; and

WHEREAS,

Walking is designated as Maryland's official state exercise.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WES MOORE, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, do hereby proclaim OCTOBER 4, 2023, as WALK MARYLAND DAY in Maryland, and call upon the people of our state to join in this observance.