By Cooper Zablocki

On Wednesday, October 9 students of teacher Bev Schelling’s class will walk the Healthiest State Walk.  The walk will start at 10:00 AM at the Atlantic High School track. Schelling’s class is not the only group walking, residents of the Atlantic Area will also join in.  The goal of the walk is to make Iowa the aid in the efforts of making Iowa the healthiest state.  The walk will be 1 kilometer long or about a 12 minute stroll on average.

Schelling’s class of 9 has shirts with “Healthiest State Initiative” on them and they are wearing the shirts on the walk.  “Get involved in statewide focus,” said Schelling commenting on why her class is participating. The class is hoping to “walk on a nice day,” so everything goes just as planned.  Lifetime skills class focuses on healthy habits making this walk a focus of theirs. Teachers Mandi Brauer and Kathy Blazek’s classes are also participating in the walk.

This walk will provide “closer classroom relationships,” Schelling stated.  Senior Sierra Klinghammer is also “excited” for the wednesday walk.  Currently, Iowa is working on a 5 year plan to make it the healthiest state, The Healthiest State Initiative.  This walk, sponsored by the state, is one of the ways Iowa is trying to get more people involved in physical activity.  According to Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index Iowa was the 19 healthiest in 2010, 16 in 2011 and is currently sitting at number 9.

There are five priorities of focus for the initiative; decrease smoking; increase consumption of fruits and vegetable; increase daily activity; improve hygiene; increase boss and employee relationship.

The Healthiest State Initiative has many tips to maintain a simple, healthy lifestyle.  Staying hydrated and healthy cooking are a few.  Also, not smoking and using two wheels instead of four, are other ways Iowa plans on becoming the healthiest state.

If you want to learn more about the statistics about the country’s well being check out this link. http://www.well-beingindex.com