Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (MLH) is challenging Memphians and people across the Mid-South to lose one million pounds as a community in the next three years.
“It’s an audacious goal,” says Michael Ugwueke, MLH president and CEO. “But we think we can do it. We’ve always risen to any challenge in our community.”
The goal, Ugwueke says, came about after MLH conducted a community health needs assessment and found heart disease and cancer, both of which are linked to obesity, as top causes of death in Shelby County. And, he says, Memphis was named the number-two most obese city in the country. “We decided that the best way to tackle this is to really get our community galvanized and motivated to lose weight,” he says, and so, in partnership with Cigna Healthcare, Kroger, Nike, and Action News 5, the Healthier 901 initiative was born as a challenge for the community to live active, healthier lives.
And while, yes, the ultimate quantifiable end-post of the initiative is for the community to lose one million pounds, Ugwueke is more concerned with the un-quantifiable. “We’re trying to take away that pressure, stigma [of losing weight] and encourage people to work together to create a new a lifestyle. This is not a diet,” he says. “Quite frankly, it’s very simple. Whether they want to lose five pounds, 50 pounds, or just want to live a healthier life, that’s what this is about. We’re trying to make it fun and engaging. And we want everyone — kids, adults — to participate.”
To accomplish this goal, MLH has created an app for participants to track their progress and to access free resources like pre-recorded workouts to follow along. Those who create accounts will be eligible for prize drawings, which will be hosted on social media throughout the next three years. MLH also plans to host regular free programming to facilitate healthy lifestyles.
In fact, MLH will kick off the initiative this upcoming weekend with a Healthier 901 Fest. The day will include healthy cooking demos with celebrity chefs like Kelly English and Chris Beavers, fun fitness activities, health screenings, sponsor giveaways and booths, and a Le Bonheur Fun Zone featuring games and inflatables for kids. Sherri Shepherd, a four-time Emmy-nominated and NAACP Image Award-winning talk show host, sitcom actress, and comedian, will make a special appearance, co-emceeing the event and sharing her own fitness journey.
To find out more about the Healthier 901 Fest and to learn more about the Healthier 901 initiative and app, visit healthier901.com.
Healthier 901 Fest, Shelby Farms Park, Saturday, September 2,
10 a.m.-2 p.m., free.