Comanche County Memorial Hospital - WALK (Wellness and Lawton's Kids) Program

Overview

The Comanche County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) Foundation launched the WALK (Wellness and Lawton's Kids) Program in 2004. The program goals are to 1) increase awareness of the importance of physical activity and increase the number of steps walked, and 2) decrease the incidence of overweight in Lawton children.

Developed by the Childhood Obesity Task Force of the Foundation, the program features a six-week walk challenge that gives every Lawton Public Schools fourth-grade student a pedometer, log book and the goal of walking a minimum of 10,000 steps per day for six weeks. Local businesses and community leaders/members, dubbed Pedometer Pals, adopt schools and donate the funds to provide pedometers for the students. Each child is given a pre- and post- body mass index (BMI) assessment to measure activity effectiveness. Students who successfully complete the program receive a day off of school to attend a day camp provided by the local YMCA.

The WALK program is extremely critical because childhood obesity is recognized as a national epidemic. Since 2004, more than 40 percent of Lawton's nearly 1,200 fourth graders have been assessed to be "at risk," compared with a national norm of 31 percent.

Impact

Each year, the number of children successfully completing the program has increased. When the program began, there were 41 participants; recent programs have included more than 1,000 students, with more than 350 reaching the goal of 10,000 steps per day. Post-program, one percent of participants in the 85th percentile were converted to the normal range.

Challenges/success factors

Lawton teachers and administrators fully support and promote the program. Teachers help students log in their steps each morning; several schools offer walking programs before and after school to help students achieve 10,000 steps. Inclement weather on successive days can impact students' ability to reach their step goal; it may be necessary to "prorate" the number of steps walked.

Future direction/sustainability

This program is successful thanks to Lawton Public Schools administrators, teachers, staff, students and parents for making the program a priority. The CCMH Foundation will remain committed to this important health issue and Lawton children. Program leaders hope to expand WALK to private and rural schools within and outside of Lawton. In addition, the Lawton Chamber of Commerce is working on a community-wide health initiative.

Advice to others

Involve and get buy-in from the school system. In addition, collaborate with community groups, and work with local businesses to help offset program costs.

Contact: Lori Cummins
Director, Community Relations & Development
Telephone: 580-585-5406
E-mail: cumminsl@ccmhonline.com