Key to better health may be as close as our feet

They say when you point your index finger at someone, don’t forget that three more are pointing back at you.

That’s especially true when looking at figures from one of those number-cruncher outfits that send out news releases about every day.

According to a study from BarBend.com, Southwest Nebraskans can use some help when it comes to fighting the battle of the bulge.

We’re not the worst in the state, according to the numbers, but we’re not far behind Sheridan County, where residents are 14% more obese than they were only 10 years ago.

Chase County, which went from 26% obese to 39% percent over the same time, wasn’t far behind with a 13% increase.

That county, along with Hayes, Dundy, Red Willow and Furnas, all turned in figures showing that 39% of the population could be classified as obese. Hitchcock and Frontier weren’t far behind, with 38% and 37% respectively.

We have to wonder how accurate the figures really are, and how the data was collected in a population as small as ours.

But there’s no doubt most of us could use some more exercise.

Record-high gasoline prices should have been a pretty good incentive to walk whenever possible, but those have eased off enough that we’ve become a little jaded by the high cost of fuel.

Just in time, the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department has stepped up to the plate, starting its free “Stepping from a Distance Challenge” to encourage residents in its nine-county area to get out and walk.

Some of that same screen technology that can be blamed for our sedentary lifestyle is being brought to bear on the fitness challenge, a smartphone app or desktop website.

Through a grant provided by Community Hospital of McCook, SWNPHD’s Walk to Health is partnering with the MoveSpring wellness platform to provide tracking, recognition and encouragement for walkers. Paper step-tracking forms are also available.

“Our Stepping from a Distance Challenge is a good opportunity for folks to get their steps in to increase their physical activity,” said Sarah Minnick, Program Manager at Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. “Walking is a fun and beneficial way to spend time with family and friends.”

To register for the challenge, go to http://app.movespring.com or download MoveSpring from the App Store or Google Play. Use organization code WALK2H to create an account and join the “Stepping from a Distance Challenge”. You will be able to connect your fitness device to track activity automatically, or you can manually enter your daily steps into the app or on the paper step journal. Instructions are available on the SWNPHD website at swhealth.ne.gov.

“Everyone who completes the challenge and fills out a survey will receive a free gift from Community Hospital’s Wellness for Life Program,” Minnick said. “We are grateful for their partnership that is benefiting the community by encouraging physical activity to reduce chronic disease among residents of southwest Nebraska.”

If you do not want to use internet access, you may register for the challenge by stopping in at Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, 404 West 10th Street (1 block north of Arby’s) in McCook. You can also email info@swhealth.ne.gov or find information by following SWNPHD on Facebook and Instagram. SWNPHD serves Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Perkins, and Red Willow counties.