Libraries Help Jump-Start Healthy Lifestyles

The is launching an informative healthy living campaign in 2012 called "Discover Your Health at the Library." The goal is to provide opportunities for Cobb residents to learn how they can have healthier lifestyles.

According to Cobb and Douglas Public Health, a higher percentage of Cobb residents reported being overweight and binge drinking than other Georgia residents. Georgia also has a higher percentage of obese children than other states in the nation.

"The health challenges facing Cobb are mainly preventable, and we'd like to highlight the resources available to help residents make healthy choices in 2012," Cobb library director Helen Poyer said. "Our 'Discover Your Health at the Library' campaign is designed to do that."

The campaign will include several components, including monthly presentations and integration of healthy living tips on the library's social media networks.

A "Benefit of Exercise" seminar will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at the 266 Roswell St., Marietta. The guest speaker will be Amanda Timberlake of Life University.

Other seminars on healthy eating will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, at East Cobb Library, and Saturday, March 3, at Mountain View Regional Library.

All presentations are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.cobbcat.org.