Features
The Shape of Things to Come
University part of local collaborative initiative to introduce health promotion strategy designed to boost physical activity in the region
BY DAVID DICENZO
The lazy days of summer are here. The problem for almost half the population in the region is that lazing around doesn't occur just in the hottest of months — it's a year-round pastime. According to the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit status report of May 2006, 46 per cent of males and 43 per cent of females in the region are inactive.
Pat Richards, U of G's supervisor of fitness and lifestyle programs, believes U of G can help do something about that disturbing trend. She's one of about 20 people involved in a local initiative to introduce a physical activity health promotion strategy called “in motion” to the region.
“This is a collaboration of partners to move towards helping our world with a very serious problem,” says Richards. “This is a big project, and we're all very serious about it.”
She emphasizes that “in motion” isn't simply about developing more programs and opportunities in the community. She says the health promotion model, which was originally introduced in Saskatchewan in 2000, is meant to “change mind sets.”
Given the spike in obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes in North America, Richards believes being active can't be taken for granted.
“It's terrible,” she says of the rise in these life-threatening conditions. “And it's so easy to turn around.”
Last month, an “in motion” information session was held at the Italian Canadian Club to generate discussion and ideas on how the region will participate. Linda Martin of the Saskatoon Health Region and director of “in motion” was on hand to make a presentation.
Richards says Saskatoon has been identified as a national model for the promotion because of its thorough approach and success in reducing the number of inactive people in the region.
Martin says Saskatoon's main goal has been to increase physical activity for health benefits.
“We identified a number of community-based targeted strategies where we could work with our entire population around behaviour change for increasing physical activity. When you look at the spectrum of what we're doing, we're hitting every population. That's what has really made our program a success — it's very comprehensive . . . and it's community-based. Our success has been overwhelming.”
Richards notes that the University of Saskatchewan played an integral role in spearheading “in motion.” She envisions U of G having a similar impact here.
“Saskatoon was successful in moving activity rates from 36 per cent to 50 per cent and maintaining it,” she says. “That's unheard of. What it tells me is that if the University steps up and takes a leadership role, we'll have a large impact on the community in terms of being better off, being healthier and being happier. I always say healthier means happier. This is a perfect fit for us.”
The local “in motion” hard launch is scheduled for Oct. 3 to coincide with the World Record Walk and International Walk to School Day. Richards says she wants U of G to get pumped about the launch and have as many people as possible participate by walking at least one kilometre.
Ideally, the “in motion” logo will be a trigger for people in the region to change their attitude about being physically active, she says.
“People will see the logo and think: ‘Oh, I'll park farther away today' or ‘I'll go home and take the dog for a walk.' We want them to buy into the concept. It worked in Saskatoon.”
Richards believes a combination of factors such as the numerous trails and paths in Guelph, a progressive-thinking community and an actively involved university will provide a solid foundation for the regional launch of “in motion.”
“We've got everything going for us,” she says.
The “in motion” program is supported by a federal initiative called Active 2010 and by Ontario's Communities in Action Fund.