This tri-state project is a cooperative arrangement between the New Jersey Society for Public Health Education (NJ SOPHE), the Pennsylvania Society for Public Health Education (PA SOPHE) and the Health Education Network of Delaware (HENOD).  As part of the project,  a training was conducted by Robert Sweetgall, one of America’s Leading Advocates of Walking for Wellness and author of 17 books.  The goal of the workshop was to train community health educators on initiating and sustaining individual and group walking activities and active living behaviors utilizing pedometers. 

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, as many as 60% of Americans do not exercise regularly, an estimated 150 million do not exercise at all.  Given the numerous health benefits of physical activity, the hazards of being inactive are clear, presenting a serious, nationwide, public health challenge.  Increasing physical activity has been listed in at least 22 of the Healthy People 2010 objectives. 

 The use of pedometers to measure leg movement in steps, distance and calories has significantly increased in the U.S. over the past decade.  It has been reported through various media channels that pedometers provide a ready measurement of movement, can motivate and help individuals initiate and sustain walking as a regular activity and can be used for weight management, among other benefits.

 One of the principal objectives of this health education initiative is to provide community and school based programs, enlisting participants to increase their daily activity.  Project Administrator, Lucille Y-Talbot, will collect data to evaluate the utilization of a pedometer as a reinforcing tool to support and increase physical activity.

 This project represents the first grant awarded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a major philanthropic organization to a professional organization.  It is also a unique opportunity for several statewide health education professional organizations to join with each other to achieve common public health education objectives.

 For periodic information on this project in the future please visit either www.njsophe.org or www.rwif.org. 

For more information on this project or to find out how to join a walking program utilizing pedometers, contact Lhyt@cs.com