Get Movin’ fitness program growing in sixth year

Published 9:27 pm Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Since it was first launched in 2004, more than 6,000 kids and adults in Snohomish County have taken up Get Movin’s summer challenge — to be more active.

The first year, it involved a promise to exercise for 30 minutes three times a week.

The next year, the bar was raised to what it remains today — to spend a half-hour five days a week in some kind of activity.

This year’s goal is to get 3,000 kids and parents to sign up. There’s no charge to participate in the program, which kicks off June 6.

For the kids who can meet the challenge, there are weekly rewards: free passes for area swimming pools, skating rinks and bowling lanes; free entry into the Evergreen State Fair; and a free ticket for kids to an AquaSox game.

And for those who stick with the exercise promise throughout the summer, there’s a drawing this year for a Wii fitness activity system.

“It’s amazing to me we’ve come so far,” said Caroline Brown, health and fitness director at the Marysville YMCA. She has been on the Get Movin’ organizing committee since its first year.

Get Movin’ began with a single kickoff event at the Everett Mall in 2004. Several hundred kids turned out. Throughout that June, 600 kids had signed up.

“We just increased from there,” Brown said.

The growth has come both in the number of people participating in the program and the number of kickoff events held each year.

Get Movin’ was born out community need, Brown said.

About one in 10 students in grades 8, 10, and 12 is obese, part of a national trend of children not getting enough exercise.

And more than one-quarter of the county’s adults were considered obese in 2007, according to the Snohomish Health District.

“The rapid growth of Get Movin’ proves that the community recognizes the problem and wants to do something about it,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District.

Childhood obesity is a community problem, demanding responses at every level, he said.

Parents and schools can ensure healthy nutritional options and can encourage physical activity.

Public policies can help encourage walking or biking to school on safer routes with sidewalks, lights, well-marked crosswalks and crossing guards, he added.

This year’s kickoff events are scheduled in Everett, Marysville, Monroe, Lynnwood and Stanwood. “This is really a countywide event now,” Brown said.

There are games and prizes for families who attend the events, as well as nutritional information to help busy families juggle healthy eating and hectic schedules.

“Especially during these tough economic times, one of the most important things we can do is offer free activities,” Brown said.

Overweight children face lifelong health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, if they don’t become more fit.

Nearly one-third of all kids who have diabetes have type 2 diabetes, which can be triggered by poor dietary habits.

Hispanic kids are particularly at risk, said Dr. Jim Troutman, a pediatrician at The Everett Clinic. Nearly one out of every two of these children are expected to develop diabetes in their lifetime.

“We don’t understand why this is,” Troutman said.

Having the whole family be active, not just kids, is key to helping children become more fit, he said.

Studies show that the most successful programs battling childhood obesity “are the ones that involve the family participating together,” he said.

By giving people an extra nudge to get outdoors, families also become familiar with bikeways, paths, and other recreational opportunities in their neighborhoods and throughout the county that they might not otherwise have experienced, he said.

“Hopefully, they’ll participate in more and more things.” Troutman said.

Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486, salyer@heraldnet.com.