By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County residents are being politely prodded to get up off their sedentary seats.
The Wood County Health Department has launched a campaign encouraging local residents to get more exercise using free community parks and trails.
Health surveys have shown that too many people are overweight, and too few are getting the recommended 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week. Only 28 percent of Wood County adults surveyed last year said they exercise five days or more per week. Ten percent said they did not have any physical activity in the past week.
Inactivity and obesity are tied to many areas of a person’s health and can lead to a variety of serious diseases.
And last year’s physical activity and nutrition survey showed that Wood County residents need to do better at both.
“It was enough to give us some ideas of where we should prioritize,” said Alex Aspacher, community outreach coordinator for the Wood County Health Department.
“It’s pretty much common knowledge that lack of physical activity and obesity are big problems across the country,” Aspacher added.
The survey conducted last year showed that not only were many people not getting enough exercise, but many also weren’t aware of local exercise options available to them.
So health department officials decided to start a motivational campaign, encouraging local residents to use the exercise options already available throughout the county.
“We have great parks. We want to promote what we already have,” Aspacher said. In addition to the county parks, nearly every community in Wood County also has its own park. “You can go to the park in Grand Rapids and see something completely different than you would see in the park in Bradner.”
A new website, WoodCountyHealth.org/activity, lists parks and trails in different communities, as well as events such as 5Ks and fun runs, and links to recreation programs, fitness groups, SilverSneakers sites for seniors, and several links to cycling resources.
“There is one place to go for the information,” Aspacher said of the website. “This might inspire someone to go to a park.”
Having a goal in mind can create the motivation people need to stick with an exercise routine, but many people have a tough time getting started. Wood County Health Department will post encouraging messages, exercise tips and photos showing the diverse parks and recreation opportunities that Wood County has to offer. Local residents are asked to share those messages on social media.
“We want them to help amplify the people we reach,” Aspacher said.
The health department’s physical activity campaign will culminate Aug. 17 at the Pemberville 5-Miler, which also includes a free 1-mile fun run, making it a great target for people of all fitness levels, he said.
“Walking is something that everybody can do,” he said, adding that fitness events can be good ways to change up a routine or set an exercise goal.
Wood County Health Department is partnering with Pemberville Independent Merchants Association, a group working to promote area businesses and community events. PIMA and other partners have provided feedback on messages and advertising and will help evaluate the reach of the campaign.
