Employees: 28
The Health Improvement Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati sponsors Ohio On the Move as part of its efforts to help individuals and groups become more active. An affiliate of America On the Move, Ohio on the Move was founded because the typical American adult currently gains one to three pounds per year. Poor eating habits and lack of physical activity have made Americans the most overweight nation in the world. Research has shown that small behavior changes can help the average adult maintain current weight. Ohio On the Move seeks to maintain energy balance by encouraging participants each day to walk an extra 2,000 steps (approximately a mile, depending on stride) and decrease calories by 100 (about a pat of butter). The program can be implemented in workplaces, community centers, church groups, or just among friends.
The Collaborative organized a competition using the Ohio on the Move program for its own employees. The employees were divided into two randomly assigned teams: one of 13, one of 14. Each team was headed by a captain, chosen by the program organizer, who provided motivation and emotional support. Because the Collaborative does not have a workplace intranet, the organizer began the program by sending out emails and making posters that advertised the challenge and encouraged people to sign up. All but one of the 28 employees (96%) decided to take part.
After registration, each participant was given a free pedometer and had approximately one week to take their baseline measurements. Gathering the measurements involved wearing the pedometer for three days and recording the number of steps taken. Participants were instructed not to do anything out of the ordinary on those days so that the reading would be accurate. Adding those numbers and dividing by three produced the individual’s baseline step metric.
There were both team and individual elements to the competition. Each participant was encouraged to take at least 2,000 more steps a day above their baseline measurement, up to as many as they could handle. Participants tracked steps weekly and reported results to their team captains. Participants often walked together during lunch breaks, and before and after work.
To encourage walking in unique ways, the organizer used a “virtual trail” on the OOM web site, which tracks the steps taken around a map of the United States. Each week would have a fun new challenge, such as the first team to reach Florida or California from Ohio on the virtual trail. Additionally, the steps around the office building measured out to approximately 2000 steps, providing an easy path for people to follow for exercise.
Each week, the program honored the “Highest Stepper of the Week” by displaying the winner’s picture on a “Wall of Fame” in a common space in the office. The weekly winners received a red balloon and a fitness-related prize, such as dumbbells, a yoga mat, a weight ball, etc. In addition, the winning team was also posted each week. To keep participants informed and motivated, the organizer sent out a weekly email that included a progress report, citing the winning team and individual for the previous week, along with tips, recipes, and articles about wellness and healthy eating.
The program built camaraderie – individuals frequently chose walking buddies to join on lunchtime walks with members from the other team. The cooperation became so strong that when one team won in a certain week, its members would encourage losing team members to walk with them the following week.
The program was slated to last six weeks, but because the two teams together had not walked around the entire United States on the virtual map, they wanted an additional week to meet that final challenge. In the end, the program was conducted for seven weeks after the week-long baseline measurement period.
At the conclusion of the program, employees held a grand finale brunch. The organizer bought some food, and individuals brought in healthy dishes to share as well. Each participant received a certificate of completion. The overall winner received a trophy, with the 2nd and 3rd place individuals receiving silver and bronze medals. All the awards were inexpensive and small, but served to demonstrate the success of the winners. The winning team members all received water bottles, pens, and T-shirts with the Ohio on the Move logo.
Results
Strengths
Innovative Ideas
Lessons Learned
Contact Information
New Jersey does not have an “On the Move” program, but America on the Move is a tremendous resource for starting the program in local communities. Free planning kits are available.
Simply log on to www.americaonthemove.org and click on Join Now or join by calling 1-800-807-0077 and follow the prompts to register.
Affiliate Coordinator
Ohio On the Move, an affiliate of American On the Move
Health Improvement Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati
Phone: 513-531-0267
Email: oom@gchc.org
Website: www.ohioonthemove.org
