The Mississippi State University extension service is offering the Bulldogs in Motion program to encourage students, faculty and staff to lose weight and eat healthier.
Bulldogs in Motion is also supported by the BlueCross BlueShield of Mississippi Foundation, Delta Health Alliance, the division of student affairs and the division of agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine.
The program is an extension of Mississippi in Motion, a statewide initiative designed to promote healthy lifestyles through exercise, proper nutrition and social support, according to the MSU Cares Web site.
The Mississippi in Motion program started in January 2004 after the health-planning group of MSU’s extension service began to develop a statewide program to promote physical activity. Part of the initiative for the program stemmed from Mississippi’s position as the most obese state in the nation.
During this time, locals in West Point started a program to promote exercise and better eating. During the 12-week plan, participants exercised, learned about healthy eating and attended sessions related to health and exercise. The 1,200 members, divided into teams of 10, lost more than 6,000 pounds.
Mississippi in Motion officially began in early 2005. About 400 people from 10 counties including Oktibbeha County participated and together lost more than 9,000 pounds.
Bulldogs in Motion begins Wednesday with a weigh-in at the Joe Frank Sanderson Center. Participants will be given a pedometer and an activity log to keep them on track with the program.
Over the next few weeks, participants will attend educational sessions on topics such as planning meals, how to become active, eating out smart, fad diets and emotional eating. Each participant must attend at least seven of the sessions that will be held twice a week.
Participants will earn points by adding sessions and exercising in numerous activities. The teams with the most points will be rewarded at the end of the program in May.
According to program leaders, the team component of the program provides support and increases accountability among members. Participants become less likely to lose focus if placed on a team where all the members strive for the same goals.
The preferred deadline for registration is today. Registration is $5 per person. Participants should bring completed forms and fees to the Sanderson Center no later than Wednesday. Registration forms can be found by visiting the Mississippi in Motion link on the recreational sports Web site, www.recsports.msstate.edu.
Jane Clary, associate extension professor for the department of food science, nutrition and health promotion, said that Mississippi ranks number one in obesity, heart disease and diabetes. She added that heart disease is the number one cause of death for women across the United States.
“By changing these lifestyle behaviors, we can hopefully get people changing their behaviors and improving their health,” she said.
Director of recreational sports Laura Walling said that part of the program’s target is MSU students.
“A lot of the habits you form now as a student will carry on into your adult life,” she said.
“This program provides you the support, opportunity and awareness,” Clary said.
Full-time MSU students have free access to the Sanderson Center. Anyone else participating in the Bulldogs in Motion program will receive a 12-week membership to the Sanderson Center for a special rate of $25.