New program encourages early exercise

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

Morrison students Autumn Brindley, left, and Haley Wright walk hand in hand as part of their school’s participation in the Blue Cross sponsored WalkingWorks for Schools program which is aimed at K-4 students. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

How soon should you start encouraging kids to exercise? How about in kindergarten? The earlier the better is the philosophy of the BlueCross WalkingWorks for Schools program. Warren County is part of a pilot program, one of 10 in the state, designed to teach children the value of regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Currently there are three WalkingWorks programs in Warren County Schools, at West Elementary, Morrison and Bobby Ray. Cheryl Kelley, director of the Coordinated School Health Program, says the school system is pleased to be part of the program.

“It’s a 12-week program,” Kelley said, “where they’re supposed to walk five minutes a day with a teacher.”

By the end of the program, those who reach that goal successfully will have walked approximately 15 miles they might not have otherwise, according to the WalkingWorks sponsors. And Kelley says even rainy won’t slow the kids down. For days when bad weather prevents walking outdoors Kelley has purchased a “Kids Walk” video so students can walk in place in the classroom to get in their five minutes.

With childhood obesity nearing epidemic proportions in the state, an estimated 19 to 30 percent of Tennessee school students are overweight, and with structured physical education classes on the decline in most schools, one of the nation’s largest health insurance carriers, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, decided to try to find a way to teach children the importance of physical activity early in their school careers.

“Blue Cross/Blue Shield really wanted to get involved with fighting the obesity epidemic with children,” Kelley said. “They wanted to initiate some sort of walking program, so they chose some pilot sites, but the goal is to extend it to all schools next year.”

Kelley says the school system is also concerned with the health of local students and finds the WalkingWorks for Schools program a fun and effective way to teach children the importance of exercise. And there are some extra benefits, according to teachers.

“Because we have such an obesity problem we really need to teach these kids early on to walk,” Kelley said. “Not only is it for weight maintenance, if you talk to some of the teachers they’ll tell that their kids are ready to learn when they walk that extra energy off. They’re just more manageable and easier to teach.”

Each student who completes the program receives a WalkingWorks for Schools wristband and an achievement certificate.

Teachers participating receive will receive wristband, pedometer and a certificate of appreciation.

The BlueCross WalkingWorks for Schools program will roll out in all public Tennessee schools grades K-4, approximately 1,279, in the fall of 2006, according to programs sponsors.