Program Goal

The goal of this initiative is to reduce childhood obesity and the onset of type 2 diabetes through preventative measures. One risk factor to the onset of type 2 diabetes is low physical activity. The “Walk to Wellness” program aims to reduce a sedentary lifestyle for youth, and teaches elementary age students the importance of integrating physical activity into daily life to improve and sustain overall health and wellness through program participation.

Program Background

Current data shows certain areas in Bexar County have high diabetes mortality rates. SA City Council District 3 which also includes areas within Harlandale ISD, specifically zip codes 78221 and 78214 are among the highest in Bexar County in this category.

The SA Kids Get Fit “Walk to Wellness Challenge” will be implemented in select Harlandale ISD elementary school campuses in the aforementioned zip codes with some of the highest concentration of diabetes mortality rates.

The program will be implemented as a pilot; two elementary schools at the fourth grade level will be targeted. The schools of interest are Schulze (78221) and Wright (78214).

Program Content

The “Walk to Wellness” spans a 12-week timeframe where participants will walk and log steps on a daily basis.

Extant literature suggests that children should log at least 12,000 steps to gain physical benefits.

Other activities can also be logged as steps and other forms of exercise are encouraged.

Participants will be given pedometers, logbooks and other items that will assist in keeping them interested and participating in the program. Incentives will also be utilized to sustain interest through program duration and will be given based on verifiable reported benchmarks.

Both schools that will receive a special recognition upon completion.  Administration of the program will be  executed through the forging of various partnerships that have similar goals and missions with one single point of contact for each participating school.