Campaign seeks to build support for, and action to make, Kentucky communities more walkable for better community health
Seventy Kentucky school districts, local governments, health departments, businesses and other organizations have joined the Step
It Up, Kentucky! campaign to encourage walking and build the demand for walkable communities as a way to better health.
Public-health experts recommend 30 minutes of physical
activity five days a week to improve health, which can easily be achieved by
walking. People are more likely to make the decision to walk when they have
places, programs and policies that provide opportunities and
encouragement, says a news release from the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
activity five days a week to improve health, which can easily be achieved by
walking. People are more likely to make the decision to walk when they have
places, programs and policies that provide opportunities and
encouragement, says a news release from the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
“Getting people to move more starts with improving the
places we live, learn, work and play,” Obesity Prevention Program Coordinator Elaine Russell said in the release. “Communities can be built for people to be active
in their everyday life. By providing safe, attractive and convenient places to
walk, anybody can incorporate exercise into their daily routine.”
places we live, learn, work and play,” Obesity Prevention Program Coordinator Elaine Russell said in the release. “Communities can be built for people to be active
in their everyday life. By providing safe, attractive and convenient places to
walk, anybody can incorporate exercise into their daily routine.”
Step It Up, Kentucky! represents the state’s response to the U.S. surgeon general’s recent Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities,
which calls on Americans to increase walking by designing communities that
encourage physical activity in order to address rising rates of chronic
disease.
which calls on Americans to increase walking by designing communities that
encourage physical activity in order to address rising rates of chronic
disease.
From adding sidewalks to developing parks and recreation sites, there are a number of things communities can do to become more walkable. Winchester created a mile-long circular path in the middle of town simply by mowing a stretch of undeveloped land. Rockcastle County paved a one-mile path along a roadway in Mount Vernon, now used by walkers, runners and bikers. The path also served as the site for an eight-week walking challenge in the community.
“Creating a culture that supports healthy lifestyles starts
with building support at the local level,” said Dr. Connie White, acting
commissioner of the state Department of Public Health. “All Kentuckians deserve safe, inviting places to be
active.”
with building support at the local level,” said Dr. Connie White, acting
commissioner of the state Department of Public Health. “All Kentuckians deserve safe, inviting places to be
active.”
For more information on Step It Up!, visit the Partnership
for a Fit Kentucky’s website: fitky.org/our-efforts/physical-activity/step-it-up-kentucky.
For more about obesity prevention, increasing
access to physical activity, or what other communities are doing to encourage
wellness, visit the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky’s blog http://www.fitky.org/category/blog/.
for a Fit Kentucky’s website: fitky.org/our-efforts/physical-activity/step-it-up-kentucky.
For more about obesity prevention, increasing
access to physical activity, or what other communities are doing to encourage
wellness, visit the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky’s blog http://www.fitky.org/category/blog/.