Walk Kansas gets people moving
More than 450 adults and youth in Jefferson, Nemaha and Jackson counties participated in this year’s Walk Kansas program.
Coordinated by K-State Research & Extension, the initiative encourages teams of six to collectively walk 423 miles, the distance across Kansas, over an eight-week period of time.
Challenge 1 meets basic physical activity guidelines of 2 1/2 hours (150 minutes) of moderate and vigorous activity per person each week. Some teams select Challenge 2 with the goal of each member to log 6 hours of physical activity each week. If this goal is met the team would, collectively, walk 1,200 miles or the distance around the perimeter of the state. Fourteen teams achieved this milestone.
Walk Kansas participants reported their weekly physical activity time to their team captain to enter in the statewide database.
A weekly newsletter with physical activity and health tips, including an emphasis on increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables was shared. T-shirts were available for purchase and served to develop a sense of camaraderie and belonging.
The 76 Meadowlark District teams were part of the statewide total of 3,075 teams.
“Intervention programs that develop strong, supportive networks are more successful in helping individuals initiate and maintain a regular physical activity program. Programs like Walk Kansas help people take the first step toward an active lifestyle and guide participants in developing skills to sustain a lifelong habit of physical activity,” said Nancy Nelson, family and consumer sciences agent.
Short URL: http://www.jeffcountynews.com/?p=13008