NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
SEARHC invites communities to 'Just Move It' on Nov. 1
SITKA, Oct. 20, 2008 - Finding fun, enjoyable physical activities to do can go a long way toward preventing many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart and lung disease and even some forms of cancer.
To encourage people to get more healthy physical activity into their daily lives, the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) Health Promotion, Diabetes, Lifestyle Balance and Steps to a Healthier SE Alaska programs will host "Just Move It" activities on Saturday, Nov. 1, in six communities throughout the region.
A variety of activities will take place in Klukwan, Juneau, Angoon, Kake, Sitka and Klawock. The events are part of the national "Just Move It" campaign to promote healthy physical activity for Alaska Natives and American Indians. Research shows even small amounts of physical activity can make a big difference in a person's health.
Also, by hosting the events on Nov. 1, it kicks off American Diabetes Month in November and brings awareness to a disease having a growing impact on Alaska Natives and American Indians. Alaska Natives and American Indians have some of the highest rates of diabetes for any ethnic group in the United States, and recent research has shown that more than half of the cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through increased physical activity and healthy eating habits.
"My elders often remind me that what we are doing is for our children and grandchildren," said Joanne Elsie (Kaawjeil) Spud, a SEARHC Behavioral Health Prevention Specialist based in Klukwan who is coordinating the local event in that community. "Today I take responsibility for my inactive lifestyle and take this step for my children and grandchildren. If I can be more active, I can be an example for them. If I stumble along the way, I will get up and try again because I want them to speak of heart disease, diabetes and other diseases as something that 'used to' plague Alaska Natives and Native Americans."
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Oct. 7 released its first set of physical activity guidelines for Americans, http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/. The report said the physical activity can come from a variety of activity types and people don't have to feel tied to a gym, so long as they walk, bike, swim, garden, dance, play with the dog or find other ways to be active. According to the guidelines, adults should try to get 30 minutes of physical activity a day at least five days a week, and children ages 6-18 should try to get an hour of physical activity a day. Activity can take place in blocks lasting at least 10 minutes, so people don't need to feel they have to go for a 30-minute run if they only have 15 minutes available in the morning and 15 minutes at night for physical activity.
"More matters," the report said. "Even low amounts of physical activity can have some health benefits. How hard someone works out, how long someone trains and how many days a week they put into their chosen activity will give greater health benefits in the long run." The report also said "some physical activity is better than none," and people can gain at least some health benefits from even small amounts of physical activity.
Here are brief descriptions and contact information for each "Just Move It" event. All of these events are free and open to the general public.
* Angoon - Angoon Walking For Diabetes, meet at 1 p.m. at the Angoon City Shop, contact Doreen McCluskey at 788-4637 or doreen.mccluskey@searhc.org.
* Juneau - Twin Lakes Walk, meet at 10-11:30 a.m. at the Twin Lakes playground pavillion, contact Christy Wallace at 364-4457 or christy.wallace@searhc.org.
* Kake - "Just Move It" and Honoring Our Veterans Walk, meet at 11 a.m. at the SEARHC Health Promotion Building in Kake, contact Georgie Reese at 785-3260 or georgie.reese@searhc.org.
* Klawock - Seven-mile Totem to Totem Trail Walk from Klawock to Craig, meet from 10 a.m. to noon at Klawock Totem Park, contact Brenda Isaacs at 755-4983 or brenda.isaacs@searhc.org.
* Klukwan - Chilkat Champions, participants meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Klukwan ANS Hall to begin tracking their activity for the day, then meet again at 7 p.m. to share their experiences, contact Joanne Spud at 767-5592 or joanne.spud@searhc.org.
* Sitka - Totem Park Walk, meet from 10 a.m. to noon at Sitka National Historical Park, contact Maybelle Filler at 966-8739 or maybelle.filler@searhc.org or Renae Mathson at 966-8797 or renae.mathson@searhc.org.
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http://www.searhc.org
For Immediate Release
SEARHC invites communities to 'Just Move It' on Nov. 1
SITKA, Oct. 20, 2008 - Finding fun, enjoyable physical activities to do can go a long way toward preventing many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart and lung disease and even some forms of cancer.
To encourage people to get more healthy physical activity into their daily lives, the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) Health Promotion, Diabetes, Lifestyle Balance and Steps to a Healthier SE Alaska programs will host "Just Move It" activities on Saturday, Nov. 1, in six communities throughout the region.
A variety of activities will take place in Klukwan, Juneau, Angoon, Kake, Sitka and Klawock. The events are part of the national "Just Move It" campaign to promote healthy physical activity for Alaska Natives and American Indians. Research shows even small amounts of physical activity can make a big difference in a person's health.
Also, by hosting the events on Nov. 1, it kicks off American Diabetes Month in November and brings awareness to a disease having a growing impact on Alaska Natives and American Indians. Alaska Natives and American Indians have some of the highest rates of diabetes for any ethnic group in the United States, and recent research has shown that more than half of the cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through increased physical activity and healthy eating habits.
"My elders often remind me that what we are doing is for our children and grandchildren," said Joanne Elsie (Kaawjeil) Spud, a SEARHC Behavioral Health Prevention Specialist based in Klukwan who is coordinating the local event in that community. "Today I take responsibility for my inactive lifestyle and take this step for my children and grandchildren. If I can be more active, I can be an example for them. If I stumble along the way, I will get up and try again because I want them to speak of heart disease, diabetes and other diseases as something that 'used to' plague Alaska Natives and Native Americans."
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Oct. 7 released its first set of physical activity guidelines for Americans, http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/. The report said the physical activity can come from a variety of activity types and people don't have to feel tied to a gym, so long as they walk, bike, swim, garden, dance, play with the dog or find other ways to be active. According to the guidelines, adults should try to get 30 minutes of physical activity a day at least five days a week, and children ages 6-18 should try to get an hour of physical activity a day. Activity can take place in blocks lasting at least 10 minutes, so people don't need to feel they have to go for a 30-minute run if they only have 15 minutes available in the morning and 15 minutes at night for physical activity.
"More matters," the report said. "Even low amounts of physical activity can have some health benefits. How hard someone works out, how long someone trains and how many days a week they put into their chosen activity will give greater health benefits in the long run." The report also said "some physical activity is better than none," and people can gain at least some health benefits from even small amounts of physical activity.
Here are brief descriptions and contact information for each "Just Move It" event. All of these events are free and open to the general public.
* Angoon - Angoon Walking For Diabetes, meet at 1 p.m. at the Angoon City Shop, contact Doreen McCluskey at 788-4637 or doreen.mccluskey@searhc.org.
* Juneau - Twin Lakes Walk, meet at 10-11:30 a.m. at the Twin Lakes playground pavillion, contact Christy Wallace at 364-4457 or christy.wallace@searhc.org.
* Kake - "Just Move It" and Honoring Our Veterans Walk, meet at 11 a.m. at the SEARHC Health Promotion Building in Kake, contact Georgie Reese at 785-3260 or georgie.reese@searhc.org.
* Klawock - Seven-mile Totem to Totem Trail Walk from Klawock to Craig, meet from 10 a.m. to noon at Klawock Totem Park, contact Brenda Isaacs at 755-4983 or brenda.isaacs@searhc.org.
* Klukwan - Chilkat Champions, participants meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Klukwan ANS Hall to begin tracking their activity for the day, then meet again at 7 p.m. to share their experiences, contact Joanne Spud at 767-5592 or joanne.spud@searhc.org.
* Sitka - Totem Park Walk, meet from 10 a.m. to noon at Sitka National Historical Park, contact Maybelle Filler at 966-8739 or maybelle.filler@searhc.org or Renae Mathson at 966-8797 or renae.mathson@searhc.org.
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http://www.searhc.org
