Lowry Shares Message from the Heart

Top local executives get educated on physical activity in the workplace

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NASHVILLE, TN --** Titans Special Teams Coach Alan Lowry shared a special message with 50 Nashville executives on Thursday about the American Heart Association's life-saving initiatives, including the Start! Movement and the Nashville Start! Heart Walk.   Lowry, entering his 14th season as an assistant coach with the Titans and 11th as special teams coach, was the perfect speaker on this effort as he is a heart disease survivor.

About 70 percent of Americans are not engaging in any regular physical activity which is one reason why heart disease and stroke continue to be America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, despite being largely preventable through a healthy lifestyle.  To address this issue, Lowry along with Dr. Keith Churchwell, Doug Gertner from CVS/Caremark and Jim Seabury, CEO of Enterprise Electric, LLC spoke to a packed house during 2009 AHA Executive Breakfast at Union Station Hotel. 

"I am so impressed with the passion that the American Heart Association has for this cause," said Lowry.  "It's an important issue that needs to be addressed.  I enjoyed meeting our city's top business leaders to discuss the issue because it's something I believe in."

According to the AHA, the average healthcare costs exceeds $3,000 per person annually and preventable illnesses make up 70 percent of illness costs in the U.S. Employers can save $16 for every $1 spent on health.   The American Heart Association's Start! movement is designed to raise both life-saving funds and a free tool aimed at engaging employees to embrace physical activity and wellness in order to live longer, heart healthy lives.

Walking has many proven health benefits. In fact, adults may gain as much as two hours of life expectancy for each hour of regular, vigorous exercise–like very brisk walking–even if they don't begin until middle age. 

The Titans have a long-standing relationship with the AHA as they are partnering organization on the Titans/NFL PLAY 60 & What Moves U initiative; the NFL's movement for an active generation.  The program encourages youth to get at least 60 minutes of exercise per day to stay fit.

According the AHA, childhood obesity is now regarded as the number one health concern among parents in the U.S., topping drug abuse and smoking.  Nearly one out of every three children and adolescents are overweight or obese.  Parents and teachers can lead the way in inspiring lifestyle changes in children that include healthier eating and more physical activity.  Kids themselves also need to play a lead role in their health and they need tools to help drive solution-focused behaviors to help them succeed. 

For more information on the What Moves U program visit http://www.whatmovesu.com/; or for more information about the Start! movement, call 615-340-3100 or visit www.heart.org/start