About Shape Up RI
Overview
Shape Up RI is a statewide exercise and weight loss challenge created by Brown Medical School student Rajiv Kumar, who believes that the solution to our national obesity epidemic lies in the power of teamwork and peer support.
This annual health campaign encourages Rhode Islanders to improve their health and lifestyle by increasing their physical activity levels and developing smart eating practices. Participants compete on teams to see who can lose the greatest percentage of collective team weight, log the most hours of physical activity, and walk the highest number of pedometer steps over a twelve week period.
From January through May 2007, 6,916 Rhode Islanders from across the state competed on 744 teams and worked hard to pursue healthier lifestyles. The outcome was astounding, with 28,519 pounds lost, 327,844 hours of exercise logged and 4,730,880,000 steps taken!
We are now undertaking plans for a larger and even more successful Shape Up RI 2008. Registration will begin on January 2, 2008 and the competition will commence on February 4, 2008. The registration fee is $15 per participant and may be paid by the individual or by the employer as an employee benefit.
Each week during the competition participants receive email updates with important health news and information, exercise and healthy eating tips, upcoming events, opportunities for individual and team exercise, and special gift and prize announcements.
Teams make their own schedules and plans, tailored to the needs and desires of their team members, for how they will succeed in pursuing a healthy lifestyle. This year, teams joined sports leagues or local gyms, developed daily exercise regimens, devised ways to squeeze in physical activity at work, wore pedometers to track their walking, took healthy cooking classes, participated in walkathons, signed up for dancing lessons, attended nutrition seminars, and much more.
During the 12-week competition, team members will log into our online TeamTracker system to report their progress bi-weekly. At the end of each round, team standings will be published online. Winning teams will be honored at the Wellness Fair & Awards Ceremony in May 2008.
Our Mission
Our mission is to use teamwork and healthy competition as tools for improving the health of all Rhode Islanders by increasing physical activity and developing healthier eating practices.
The idea for this program grew from a desire to reverse the growing obesity epidemic in Rhode Island. Obesity resulting from poor diet and sedentary lifestyle leads to more serious diseases and early death. It also creates tremendous medical costs. The CDC reports that 56% of all adult Rhode Islanders are overweight or obese. Obesity runs up a tab in Rhode Island of $305 million in health care expenses each year.
We are promoting physical activity and healthy eating as the best ways to fight obesity. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports that regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness in the United States.
Regular physical activity improves health in many ways, including:
- Helping to maintain a healthy weight.
- Reducing the risk of dying prematurely from heart disease.
- Reducing the risk of developing diabetes.
- Reducing the risk of developing high blood pressure.
- Reducing blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure.
- Reducing the risk of developing colon and breast cancer.
- Helping build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
- Reducing feelings of depression and anxiety.
- Promoting psychological well-being.
- Reducing morbidity and mortality from mental health disorders.
The Payoff
Through teamwork and group motivation, participants will engage in an interactive twelve-week campaign to improve their exercise levels, eating habits, and overall lifestyle. The average participant in Shape Up RI 2007 lost over six pounds, took almost 900,000 steps, and logged over 60 hours of physical activity. Many participants realized even more impressive results. Some began exercising for the first time in their lives.
Upon registration, all team members will receive a Shape Up RI reminder wristband, a digital pedometer, electronic logbook, and our weekly motivational health newsletter via email. All participants will also have free access to dozens of Shape Up RI events and will be eligible for weekly prize giveaways and discounts from our sponsors. Winning teams will be officially recognized at a high profile Wellness Fair & Awards Ceremony in May 2008.
Shape Up RI 2007 By The Numbers
Total number of teams - 744
Total number of participants - 6,916
Total weight loss - 28,519 pounds
Total weight loss as a percentage - 3.3%
Total accumulated activity - 327,844 hours
Total pedometer steps - 4,230,880,000