Getting Indiana in shape: tenderloin-loving governor launches fitness crusade.

• Author: Kaelble, Steve
• Position: AROUND INDIANA - Health website launched

COULD IT BE A FLIP-FLOP? On the campaign trail, Gov. Mitch Daniels was not shy about declaring his love for that most Hoosier of delicacies, the pork tenderloin. Now, he says Hoosier adults ought to shed their unhealthy habits, eat right and be fit, for the good of the state's business community

Daniels is, in fact, on a state,vide fitness crusade, a program called INShape Indiana, launched last month with the unveiling of a Web site at www.in.gov/inshape. The program aims to encourage and reward Hoosiers who get serious about improving their health and fitness, while helping companies keep track of their employees' progress.

"Indiana is at or near the top nationally of every negative health measure, including obesity, the smoking rate and the many afflictions that accompany them: high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, heart problems and stroke," the governor declares on the site. "But some of the effects of an unhealthy population are less readily apparent. Absenteeism, loss of productivity and higher health-care costs negatively impact job creation by making us a more expensive place to do business."

INShape Indiana is a two-part fitness initiative, explains Eric Neuburger, executive director of the Governor's Council for Physical Fitness and Sports. First is a clearinghouse of information, programs and activities aimed at nutrition, physical activity and tobacco cessation, he says. The site has links to statewide and local fitness resources and events, everything from the 5K Run to Oz in Chesterton to the Southern Indiana Wheelmen in Clarksville.

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