Category: Cooperative Extension
UD Cooperative Extension addresses health issues In Delaware via walking programs
September 11, 2024 Written by Madeline Greenly
The Importance of Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining good health. For adults, it's recommended at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week, including two days of strength training. This could be either walking, running, stretching, swimming, gardening, yoga, or participating in a sport that you love. For adults over 60 years old, an extra focus on balancing exercises is important.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 72% of Delaware adults are obese or overweight, with a majority facing chronic health issues such as arthritis, obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, and cancer. To address these pressing health issues University of Delaware Cooperative Extension introduced Walk with Ease and its Spanish language counterpart, the Camine con Gusto program, which includes virtual classes and self-guided walks. This can be easily combined with Walk and Roll, which is in-person walks with a group.
We get it. It can be challenging to make time for exercise. Many people do not know where to start. This is precisely why Walk with Ease (and Camine con Gusto) and Walk and Roll were created. Our goal is to make physical activity simple, fun and something you will be able to stick to. Program topics emphasize moderate to vigorous activities, such as brisk walks, and include stretching and strength training. These workouts not only meet the exercise guidelines for adults but also provide resources to set up and maintain your plan.
Why walking?
For starters, it’s relatively easy, affordable and accessible to most people. Walking is convenient and can be done almost anywhere! And think of the incredible health benefits. Improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles and bones, enhance joint health, and reduce the risk of chronic disease. That’s a pretty great payoff! As long as you can stand for ten minutes without arthritis or joint pain, you can participate. All of the Walk and Roll sites are chosen by Nancy Mears and her team, based on community needs and feedback.
“Having access to safe and affordable opportunities to be physically active shouldn’t have to be a daunting task or something that doesn’t easily fit into everyone’s budget. At UD Cooperative Extension, we are fortunate to have passionate volunteers and staff members who are dedicated the improving the health of Delawareans, along with community partners and funders who support our work so that we can make physical activity simple, social and equitable statewide,” said Mears, a Cooperative Extension agent for nearly 10 years and a certified health education specialist for 25.
Mears personally conducts site assessments, examining all walking sites to ensure their safety and accessibility for each Walk and Roll location.
Walk with Ease program evidence
Walk with Ease is an evidence-based program. Research was conducted by the Thurston Arthritis Center at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. The program has been proven to help people with chronic health conditions, providing significant health benefits with just three days of walking per week. See the results of how programs address chronic disease through lunchtime physical activity and virtual programming.
The Walk WIth Ease and Camine Con Gusto programs combine education, motivational strategies, coaching, goal setting, group support and physical activity in two flexible educational formats.
A weekly email series.
Weekly Zoom series
Participants are encouraged to walk at least three days a week, either self-guided or as part of the Walk and Roll clubs. For those seeking social interaction, a bit of extra motivation, or the opportunity to explore new places, these Walk and Roll is tailored just for you. A participant who partook in the Walk and Roll group walks outside stated that they, “Enjoyed walking with a group. Made the time pass faster and offered great companionship. Can’t wait for the next one!”
These clubs are held once a week for six weeks at sites across Delaware:
SEAFORD- Seaford Sports Complex Walking Path
SESSION 1: Wednesdays, September 11 – October 16, 2024, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
SESSION 2: Wednesdays, October 23 – November 20, 2024, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
GEORGETOWN- Sandhill Fields
SESSION 1: Fridays, September 13 – October 18, 2024, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
SESSION 2: Fridays, October 25 – November 22, 2024, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
CAMDEN- Brecknock County Park
SESSION 1: Wednesdays, September 11 – October 16, 2024, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
SESSION 2: Wednesdays, October 23 – November 20, 2024, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
NEWARK- Glasgow Park
This site has a bilingual Spanish Walk+Roll Leader.
SESSION 1: Tuesdays, September 10 – October 15, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
SESSION 2: Tuesdays, October 22 – November 26, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
No club walk on November 5 - Election Day.
For more information about the Walk with Ease and Walk and Roll, or to register, please visit http://www.udel.edu/0012050 or contact Nancy Mears at mears@udel.edu or 302-831-3284.