- Author: Katie (Cathryn) R Johnson
- Author: Wylie Skillman
- Author: Katie (Cathryn) R Johnson
SUMMARY
The CalFresh Healthy Living UCCE Central Sierra team hosted Step It Up, a virtual version of a worksite wellness competition for educators and school communities. During the early stages of the shelter in place orders issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, the four week step counting challenge provided participants a safe and free way to stay active and enjoy camaraderie from a distance. With over 70 participants from two counties, Step It Up can provide a model for future physical activity opportunities.
BACKGROUND
In rural Tuolumne County and surrounding Central Sierra counties, opportunities for free physical activity are not accessible to all. Not all neighborhoods have sidewalks, there are wide swaths of open space between neighborhoods, and most folks do not rely on walking as a major mode of transportation. When California received shelter-in-place orders in March 2020, the rural nature of the area became an opportunity to stay active while remaining socially distant. Rural residents were uniquely positioned to still have safe access to open spaces while following safety practices for COVID-19 prevention.
Many schools eligible for CFHL nutrition education in the Central Sierra also lack worksite wellness support for their staff. Over the past four years, CFHL UCCE in Tuolumne County has hosted Step It Up, a walking competition aimed at school staff to both role model healthy behaviors for their students and encourage staff wellness. Teachers and coaches can have an influence on a child's attitude towards physical activity.
SOLUTION
When shelter-in-place orders were issued, CFHL UCCE pivoted to host a virtual Step It Up challenge open to the Central Sierra counties. Using established lines of communication with eligible sites, participants from El Dorado and Tuolumne counties hiked, rolled, jogged, and walked “together.” The competition started on May 20, 2020 and ran for the next four weeks, including six teams and 73 participants who tracked their steps or miles and entered them weekly. Encouraging newsletters were sent weekly highlighting team progress, fun local outdoor activities, and new recipes to try.
Weekly themes were set up to encourage small changes throughout the challenge, and included setting a SMART goal, exercising for improved mental health outcomes, and how to sustain new habits. Participants were also provided with expert guidance from the UC ANR Nutrition Policy Institute on how to safely engage in outdoor activities during COVID-19.
“Our school team really enjoyed it and we all agree that it gave us something to keep our minds occupied during the craziest of times.”
-Participant, Belleview Elementary
OUTCOME
In total, 73 participants walked 8,224 miles over the course of the challenge. Participants expressed they enjoyed the weekly emails and camaraderie with their team. Some are asking for a twice annual competition this school year!
Because of the quick turn-around time between shelter-in-place orders and the rollout of a virtual Step It Up Challenge, there are several possibilities to grow the challenge this next year:
- Implementing a pre/post evaluation to gauge physical activity levels before, during, and after the challenge.
- Adding a direct education component with live virtual classes.
- Offering a “family challenge” version with incentives to match school PA standards for school staff and their entire families.
California's CalFresh Healthy Living, with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – USDA SNAP, produced this material. These institutions are equal opportunity providers and employers. For important nutrition information, visit www.CalFreshHealthyLiving.org
/h1>/h1>/h1>/h1>/h1>Step It Up Success Story 2020
- Author: Katie (Cathryn) R Johnson
As days start to become cooler this October, leafy greens and other cruciferous vegetables will begin to be more commonly available in local markets and gardens. Broccoli is one of the most popular green vegetables, and one of the most versatile, too. Choose broccoli that is brightly colored, not yellowing, and has firm, springy florets. Also, be on the lookout for different forms of broccoli that are becoming more available, like broccoli raab, gai lon, or other types of “sprouting” broccoli. These varieties usually come in bunches of long stalks, rather than heads, and the stalks are just as flavorful as the florets. Any kind of broccoli provides dietary fiber, and is an excellent source of Vitamin C and folate. See below for broccoli recipe ideas, and learn more about broccoli or view its nutrition facts at Harvest of the Month.
Recipe Ideas:
- Author: Katie (Cathryn) R Johnson
Right now, many families are experiencing heightened stress from the economic and emotional effects of COVID-19. An ongoing source of stress like the current pandemic has the potential to affect our health, but there are steps we can take to help manage our own stress and to help the children in our lives become more resilient. A new resource guide from the California Essentials for Childhood Initiative provides information on how to cope with stress during COVID-19, and where to reach out for help. Read this resource below, or learn more and download it from the initiative's website.
https://www.acesconnection.com/g/california-essentials-for-childhood-initiative/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/503053124078809375/filePointer/503053124078809390/fodoid/503053124078809384/Coping%20With%20Stress%20During%20the%20COVID-19%20Pandemic%20One-Pager.pdf
- Author: Katie (Cathryn) R Johnson