Its called the “Vitality Project” and for the town of Albert Lea, Minnesota, it has become more than just a weight-loss program.
The endeavor was spearheaded by adventurer and travel writer Dan Buettner and sponsored by the AARP and United Health Foundation. It set out change the community and to make it a healthier place to live.
Among some of the changes made were added sidewalks and bike trails to make exercising easier, healthier items on restaurant menus, banning birthday parties with sugary snacks at schools and the creation of “walking buses” where an adult supervises a group of kids walking to school.
At the end of the one year experiment, participating residents added an estimated 3.1 years to their life expectancy and improved their diets, exercise routines and lifestyles.
“A lot of health professionals are buying into the idea that this is a problem were going to have to tackle in a lot of different ways. This idea of a community approach is something a lot of people are really getting excited about,” said Melissa Nelson, a food and nutrition expert from the University of Minnesota.
The bottom line, say supporters, is that small changes in activity, diet and lifestyle are important health resources for maintaining good health.