A coalition of health and community groups wants to pry you away from your cooler and kick you out of your lawn chairs and hammocks this summer. These folks think they have the ticket to do just that: Get Movin’.
They not only want to encourage families to be more active, they’re offering prizes, such as passes for bowling, swimming, roller skating, climbing and gymnastics, to kids who can meet a goal: Being active for 30 minutes five times a week.
Just about any activity counts: walking the dog around the block, taking a bike ride, walking on urban trails.
This is the seventh year of the Get Movin’ program. This year’s goal is to enroll 3,800 people. There’s no charge to participate. Kickoff events will be held in Everett, Marysville, Monroe, Lynnwood and Stanwood on Saturday. Free activities are planned at all five sites.
“The more kids that are actively engaged in physical activity throughout the summer, the better off they’ll be,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District. “I would love to see every child participating with their parents.”
Information from the public health agency shows problems with obesity and lack of fitness in both children and adults throughout the county.
As one example: One in 10 Snohomish County 10th-graders is obese or overweight.
Weight problems plague adults throughout Snohomish County but are more acute in ZIP codes in east Snohomish County, Marysville and Everett.
Obesity is a risk factor for a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer, said Jane Ballard, an epidemiologist with the Snohomish Health District.
Poor diet and lack of physical activity are second only to tobacco use as the most common underlying causes of death, she said.
Get Movin’ is sponsored by a number of area organizations, including the YMCA of Snohomish County, The Everett Clinic, Stevens Hospital and The Herald.
One of the families that participated in Get Movin’ for the first time last year was Chaun and Dirk Azure and their daughter, Becky, who live in unincorporated Snohomish County.
“We don’t really fit the profile of looking like we’re active, but we get out there and enjoy the hikes and trails around the county and in the parks,” Chaun Azure said.
The family has a blog with photos and descriptions of some of their favorite trails.
Get Movin’ helped motivate the family to play hoops together down the street from their house, and also get involved with more biking, walking or hiking, Dirk Azure said.
Their daughter, Becky, who is 10, joined a swim team last summer as part of her Get Movin’ activities.
“It actually helped me build my muscles and get stronger,” she said. “Also, it helped me to stay healthy and be active.”
Kickoff events
The seventh annual Get Movin’ program will kick off with events from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at five locations:
Marysville
Allen Creek Elementary School, 6505 60th Drive NE
Ride your bike to the event and get a free bike safety check. Activities include walking and running seminars, sports injury prevention, health screenings, Nintendo Wii demonstrations with a raffle, free herb garden kits for kids, Hula Hoop demonstrations, and a free climbing wall.
Everett
Everett Mall, 1402 SE Everett Mall Way
Activities include a walk around the mall at 11 a.m., Zumba, karate, gymnastics and dance demonstrations.
Monroe
Monroe/Sky Valley YMCA, 14033 Fryelands Blvd. SE
Activities and participants include a nutritionist, a bouncy house, puppet show and balloon creations, a martial arts demonstration, Hula Hooping, Zumba, a power yoga demonstration, a cardio kick class, carnival games, the Monroe Fire Department with a fire truck, the Monroe Police Department, a raffle, and a family fun run and walk around Lake Tye.
Lynnwood
Alderwood mall, 3000 184th St. SW.
Activities include an appearance by Webbly, the AquaSox mascot; health screenings; a Wii Fit demonstration; an on-site nutritionist; and door prizes.
Stanwood
Haggen Food &Pharmacy, 26603 72nd Ave. NW
Activities include Zumba, a bouncy house and recreational activities.
More info
Go to www.get-movin.org or call 425-670-5REC or 360-653-9622 for details. Can’t make it to the kick-off event? A list of limited registration locations will be posted on the website.
Quick facts
One in 10 Snohomish County 10th-graders is obese or overweight.
Kids in families with obese parents tend to be obese themselves. If one parent is obese or overweight, any teenage children have an 80 percent change of being overweight.
Sources: Snohomish Health District and the University of Michigan
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486, salyer@heraldnet.com.
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