Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi launches Do it For Me' Healthy Living Program

By Staff
January 14, 2004
By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi has launched a "Do it For Me" Healthy Living Program.
The statewide effort is designed to help Mississippians be more active by working their way up to walking 10,000 steps a day.
Dawn Chappell, community development coordinator with the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, said the program can be beneficial to anyone who is interested in getting fit.
Mark Fenton, physical activities program manager at the University of North Carolina and host of PBS's "America's Walking," designed the "20 Percent Boost Approach" to help people gradually reach the goal of 10,000 steps.
A person measures the steps he or she takes in a typical week without walking more than normal. After the first week, participants look for ways to increase their steps during the day by 20 percent daily until they work their way up to 10,000 steps.
The cost of the program is $15. People who join the "Do it For Me" program receive a pedometer, walking guide and log book.
Chappell said according to the Diabetes Prevention Program, lifestyle modifications such as doing daily exercise and healthy eating could stop the progression of Type 2 diabetes in persons at risk for developing the disease.
To join the "Do it For Me" program and receive the Freestyle pedometer and walking guide and log book, call the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi at 1-877-DFM-CURE or send $15 to the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, 16 Northtown Drive, Suite 100, Jackson, MS 39211.
For more information about the program call Chappell at 485-2388.