MAHASKA BLUE ZONE INITIATIVE STARTS SOMEWHERE
Healthiest State Initiative
Oskaloosa, Iowa – On Aug. 10, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad announced a plan to make Iowa the Healthiest State by the year 2016 as measured by the Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index®. The Healthiest State Initiative is a privately- led, publicly endorsed effort that will engage citizens throughout the state to improve their overall health and well-being. According to the 2010 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index®, Iowa currently ranks as the 19th healthiest state in the nation.
On October 7, 2011, at noon, we’re kicking off the Healthiest State Initiative by walking one kilometer together as a community. “Making the decision to change our habits and be healthy can be overwhelming. Just know that everyone has to start somewhere! So we are starting with a ‘Start Somewhere’ walk,” said Lisa Hoppman, Oskaloosa Hy-Vee Manager. Wherever you are – work, school, home, church – take about 12 minutes out of your day to go on a quick one kilometer (0.62 miles) walk with friends, family, neighbors or co-workers. Several walk sites in Oskaloosa and the surrounding communities have already been identified, and all welcome members of our community to join them on October 7th. You can find these walk sites online at www.iowahealthieststate.com, as new walk sites in Mahaska County are being added weekly. There is no cost to you to walk for the initiative, or no cost for you to host a walk site location.
According to the 2008 Community Health Status Report, 20.5% of Mahaska County residents are obese. Mahaska County ranks 85th of 99 Iowa counties in childhood obesity rates. “United Way of Mahaska County, The Mahaska County YMCA, Hy-Vee Food Stores, and Fareway Stores, Inc., have teamed up to lead the effort to make our community a Blue Zone community. We all know that obesity and related diseases are preventable, and together we can start somewhere to make a difference in our community,” said Brianne Fitzgerald, United Way executive director.
If you would like to participate in a walk in your community, please go to www.iowahealthieststate.com to find the location nearest you or call the Mahaska County YMCA for assistance if you do not have internet access. If you would like more information about hosting a walk site, or would like to join in the efforts to make our community a Blue Zone community, please contact Dawn Collins at 673-8411, or Brianne Fitzgerald at 673-6043.
