Community Benefits: Other Mission Driven Services — University of Maryland Medical Center: Get Fit Maryland

	Other Mission Driven Services
	Get Fit Maryland at the University of Maryland Medical Center In the spring of 2005, the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine, the University of Maryland Medical Center and Merritt Athletic Club launched Get Fit Maryland: 10,000 steps a day to promote wellness in the community and workplace. The 12-week pedometer based walking program targets obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease through prevention and awareness. At registration, participants receive a kit that includes a pedometer, daily log book to log their steps, 30-day pass to Merritt Athletic Club, and other health-related information and tips to help motivate and encourage walking 10,000 steps per day. Health seminars, support, and fitness advice were also a part of the program as well as monthly incentives to help continue motivation. At the end of the 12 weeks a sports t-shirt was given to everyone that successfully completed the program. Over 3,000 people enrolled the first year and participation has continued to grow each year. In the first year 54 percent of the participants rated their satisfaction of the program as "very good" or "excellent" in a post program survey. 2007 marks Get Fit's 3rd year and the focus was shifted from adults to children and launched Get Fit Kids in three Baltimore City elementary schools. 3rd-5th grade students are challenged to walk 13,000 steps a day with a goal to increase their activity and improve overall health. The children receive the same kit as the adults with the exception of a kid friendly log book and health information geared more to an elementary level. Get Fit Kids also offers monthly incentives and so far the children seem to be enjoying the program and have been diligent in logging their steps. As an additional incentive the school with the best overall participation at the end of the program will be treated to an Oriole's baseball game later in the summer. Get Fit Maryland continues to exist through the partnership of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center and Merritt Athletic Club and the commitment they have to help combat obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in the community and workplace at no charge to participants.

Other
Mission
Driven Services

Get Fit Maryland at the University of Maryland Medical Center

In the spring of 2005, the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine, the University of Maryland Medical Center and Merritt Athletic Club launched Get Fit Maryland: 10,000 steps a day to promote wellness in the community and workplace. The 12-week pedometer based walking program targets obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease through prevention and awareness.

At registration, participants receive a kit that includes a pedometer, daily log book to log their steps, 30-day pass to Merritt Athletic Club, and other health-related information and tips to help motivate and encourage walking 10,000 steps per day. Health seminars, support, and fitness advice were also a part of the program as well as monthly incentives to help continue motivation. At the end of the 12 weeks a sports t-shirt was given to everyone that successfully completed the program.

Over 3,000 people enrolled the first year and participation has continued to grow each year. In the first year 54 percent of the participants rated their satisfaction of the program as "very good" or "excellent" in a post program survey.

2007 marks Get Fit's 3rd year and the focus was shifted from adults to children and launched Get Fit Kids in three Baltimore City elementary schools. 3rd-5th grade students are challenged to walk 13,000 steps a day with a goal to increase their activity and improve overall health. The children receive the same kit as the adults with the exception of a kid friendly log book and health information geared more to an elementary level. Get Fit Kids also offers monthly incentives and so far the children seem to be enjoying the program and have been diligent in logging their steps. As an additional incentive the school with the best overall participation at the end of the program will be treated to an Oriole's baseball game later in the summer.

Get Fit Maryland continues to exist through the partnership of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center and Merritt Athletic Club and the commitment they have to help combat obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in the community and workplace at no charge to participants.