NEWS

Move More Challenge expands

Sara Nealeigh

CHILLICOTHE – What started as a way to motivate employees to get fit, has expanded into the community.

Adena Health System began the Move More campaign last year as part of its “employees healthy first” initiative.

“So in 2013, we did a community health needs assessment, that reflects a lot of the data that you see like county health rankings... and as part of that initiative we thought about the fact that trying to get our own employees healthy first that way we can really kind of be ambassadors out in the community,” Kim Jones, Director of Community Health Advancement at Adena said.

Adena’s count of employees signed up for the 2014 challenge nearly doubled the starting goal of 500 at 905 participating employees.

“At the end of the 12 weeks, we had many employees that achieved weight loss, improved their health, and kick-started a healthier lifestyle,” said Dr. Reggina Yandila, a primary health care physician for Adena Health System.

Move More challenges participants to get 90 minutes of any kind of cardio exercise every week for 12 weeks.

“It works out to be only 15 minutes six days a week,” Dr. Yandila said. “I think it’s something we all can do.”

After noticing that one of the biggest issues in the community needs assessment was obesity, Adena decided to expand the Move More Challenge to the community. Local businesses, organizations and area residents are invited to participate in this year’s 12-week challenge.

“Some of our business partners actually had heard about it and expressed a little bit of interest in partnering, so what you’re seeing here today is a community response to that,” Jones said. “Some employers, including Adena, have made it competitive.”

One of those groups is the city of Chillicothe.

“I use some of the money (from insurance) to give out awards for all the participants who meet the 90-minute challenge over 12 weeks will be in a drawing,” said Tammy Bochard, human resources director for the city government. “I have over 100 employees signed up at this point.”

Members of participating businesses and organizations met Monday afternoon at the entrance to Yoctangee Park to kick off the 2015 Move More Challenge with a short walk around the park.

Participants including representatives from Kenworth, Glatfelter, the city of Chillicothe, the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Gazette, the Chillicothe Police Department, the Chillicothe Fire Department, Petland, the YMCA, Adena Health System and the United Way as well as local political officials.

“We’re all doing what we can to create a healthy environment for everyone,” Jones said.

Sign Up

Registration for the Move More Challenge is available at 2015movemorechallenge.eventbrite.com through Friday.