The Cooperative Extension Service’s biannual health initiative, Walk Across Arkansas, officially began this week.
Individual Arkansans are encouraged to form teams in their respective workplaces, neighborhoods or other communities and join the effort.
Heather Wingo, family and consumer sciences program associate for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the Cooperative Extension Service has been using Walk Across Arkansas to promote health and active lifestyle changes in the state for about 20 years.
“The program’s main goal is to increase physical activity,” Wingo said. “We’re working to help Arkansans overcome the state’s high obesity rates and combat chronic disease throughout individuals’ lifespans.”
During the eight-week session, individuals will log their daily total number of minutes of physical activity — which isn’t limited to walking. Running, gardening, playing or coaching a team sport — it all counts.
“A lot of Arkansans live close to parks or trails,” Wingo said. “It’s great when we see those being put to good use.”
During the spring 2024 Walk Across Arkansas, 65 teams — 346 participants — logged more than 986,000 minutes of activity over eight weeks.
The registration window for the fall session is ended Sept. 8. The eight-week session begins Sept. 9.
However, for those that would like to participate and haven’t yet registered, Pike County’s Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Eva Langley has made as easy as possible.
Any local resident can be a part of the “Pike County Steppers” for the next eight weeks. Simply stop by the Pike County Extension office in Murfreesboro, any of the three Pike County Library Branches in Murfreesboro, Delight or Glenwood, or at either of the senior center locations in Murfreesboro or Glenwood and pick up an exercise log.
After completing the eight-week individual exercise log on November 3, simply return the form to the collection location and the results will be entered for you.
Any questions may be directed to Shannon Ballard, team captain, by calling (870) 285-2161.
