TN: Get Up & Go Travels to Knox County, TN

On Friday, April 26, 2013, Tennessee: Get Up & Go! creator, Madison Hardy, traveled to Knox County, Tennessee with the Tennessee Obesity Taskforce (TOT). 

While there, they visited the Knoxville branch of Cherokee Health Systems, the Knox County Health Department, and the "Let's Move: Knoxville" Kick-Off event in Volunteer Park held in conjunction with Knox County Coordinated School Health's "Cardiac Kids" after-school program.

As part of the Tennessee Obesity Taskforce's push to develop positive messaging around the obesity epidemic in Tennessee and highlight the state's successful programs, we interviewed some key partners that are doing great things to promote health & wellness in Tennessee. These interviews will soon be compiled into videos that will educate the public about these programs.
First, we visited Ben Epperson with the Knox County Health Department, where he talked about their Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities programs as funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 

Lonsdale Elementary School Walking School Bus Program in Action

One program that was of particular interest is the Walking School Bus program in the Lonsdale community in Knox County. Just like a regular school bus, there are specific routes and pickup times. The routes are led by a parent volunteer who walks with the students each morning. The Knox County Health Department worked with students for several months to develop the routes, create maps and other resources to make it easier for students to utilize the program effectively, and create artwork to promote the Walking School Bus program within their school. Ben says that currently 30% of the students at Lonsdale Elementary School use the Walking School Bus program, and they hope to see an increase in the next school year. 

Cherokee Health Systems' Knoxville Branch

Next, we went to Cherokee Health Systems' Knoxville branch to meet with Piranda Khatri & Jena Soporito and learn more about their "Changes for Life" program. Cherokee Health Systems is a healthcare resource for many underserved citizens in the East Tennessee region. Through a grant called Project Diabetes, CHS has implemented a wellness program to help bring down the prevalence of obesity and increase the overall health of their patients. One major reason this program has been successful is that it encourages families to work together to achieve their health & wellness goals, not just the individuals who need it the most. 

Finally, in an effort to promote the upcoming "Let's Move! Knoxville Day" event on May 4th, Coordinated School Health officials of Knox County held a preview event at Victor Ashe Park, inviting students from various after-school programs to attend as well as the media and area businesses. The students visited a multitude of booths offering things to promote good health such as low-fat yogurt & granola parfaits, pedometers, vouchers for a free Subway sandwich, window-garden starters provided by Home Depot, and so much more. There was also a time for Zumba-style dancing, as well as games and a "bounce castle" to get the children active.

Students participating in a game called "Go, Slow, or No" to demonstrate their knowledge of  healthy vs. non-healthy foods

Students engaged in Zumba-style dancing, led by CSH Knox County  Health Specialist, Aneisa McDonald

Students participating in a yoga session, sponsored by a local yoga studio

Students taking advantage of the bounce house and obstacle course

Many parents were in attendance at this event as well, and it was very encouraging to learn about how their children have benefited from programs such as "Cardiac Kids" and events put on by Let's Move! Knoxville. One said that her child had encouraged the whole family to take walks after their evening meal together. Another said that these programs had encouraged her son to be more open to trying new and different types of food, including fresh produce. 

All in all, it was an extremely successful day in Knoxville with the Tennessee Obesity Taskforce. We are currently compiling all the footage we took into a few videos to share on www.eatwellplaymoretn.org and TOT's Facebook page.
To learn more about Cherokee Health Systems, visit http://www.cherokeehealth.com/

To learn more about Knox County Health Department, visit http://www.knoxcounty.org/health/
To learn more about Let's Move! Knoxville, visit their Facebook page

To learn more about Coordinated School Health, visit http://state.tn.us/education/schoolhealth/

To learn more about the Tennessee Obesity Taskforce (TOT) and Eat Well Play More TN, visit http://www.eatwellplaymoretn.org/