1st Challenge- "Walk Across Van Buren County"

Start Date: January 12th to April 21st, 2009

Team or Individual

Cost: Free

Tracking Methods

• Miles walked
• Calories
• Weight loss
• Blood pressure
• BMI
• The only statistic that will be submitted is miles walked.

Health Screenings

• Starting in January 2009
• Blood Pressure, weight, waist measurement, BMI, height, BMI and Blood sugar
• Pre and post program
• Screenings available in all villages

Individual Goals:

• Increase Physical activity
• Weight loss
• Blood pressure reducesed
• BMI reducesed
• Improved nutrition(Drink fluids, consume 5-9 Fruits & Vegetables daily)
• Quit using tobacco

Quarterly Education Meetings:

• Group Meetings will be offered on topics of interested to group
• Healthy Cooking
• Exercise programs
• Correct way to lift weights
• Much more

Healthy Villages Challenges

Healthy Villages will take place over the next two years with new challenges every 3 to 4 months.

• The first challenge is a team based challenges but individuals can participate as well. The challenge is to get each team to walk across the county between the months of January to April. This will be completed by tracking your miles you walk/run/exercise over the 4 months then you can track your team across the county.
• The second challenge has not be decided on yet but should take place during the months of April-July.

Van Buren County Health Villages

Healthy Villages is grant funded by a Harkin Wellness grant through the Iowa Department of Public Health. This is a two year grant to prove health lifestyle changes for the residents of Van Buren County.
Healthy Villages will implement wellness strategies for improved nutrition and increased physical activity. The prevention of tobacco use and reduction in stress levels will be addressed through this project as well.