When 300 people joined 50 local Walk Kansas teams in March to walk the distance across Kansas, little did they know they would log enough miles to circle the globe 1.5 times!

Ellis County team members participating in the 8-week Walk Kansas program sponsored by K-State Research and Extension met the fitness challenge to “walk” Kansas– and then some.  Our walkers reported a total of 37,955 miles — enough to cross the state 89 times, or to travel from New York to Los Angeles 15.5 times!

This averages 2.26 miles– or approximately 34 minutes– per person per day, for an average total of 238 minutes per week, surpassing the recommendation of 150 minutes of physical activity per person per week from the US Guidelines for Physical Activity.

In a parallel challenge to track fruit and vegetable consumption, team members reported eating 39,167.25 cups of fruits and vegetables during Walk Kansas.  That’s approximately 19,583 pounds or 9.8 tons of these healthful foods.

This averages 2.3 cups of fruits and vegetables per person per day. While this is a great effort, it still falls short of the daily consumption advised by the US Dietary Guidelines. The recommendations vary by age, sex and activity level, but most adults should eat 2-2.5 cups of vegetables and 1.5-2 cups of fruit each day, for a combined goal of 3.5-4.5 cups daily.  Low fruit and vegetable intake is a risk factor for premature death among Ellis County adults with 81% of adults in Ellis County consuming too few fruits and vegetables, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Kansas Department of Health & Environment.

Top mileage honors this year went to the Neighborhoods team which collectively logged 1636 miles of exercise. The team which consumed the most fruits and vegetables was the Happy Feet team with1465 cups eaten.

Team members reported many benefits from their participation in the Walk Kansas challenge.  While many reported that the team support kept them motivated, others mentioned specific benefits such as weight loss, increased energy, and the ability to sleep better, breathe easier and feel healthier.

Experts know that exercising controls weight, reduces risk of premature death from heart disease, helps to alleviate arthritis, reduces the risk of diabetes, decreases blood pressure, helps older adults become stronger and remain independent, helps lower cholesterol levels, decreases anxiety and helps to alleviate depression. A former K-State Extension health specialist once said “There is clearly no better ‘medication’ than exercise to maintain health and increase longevity.”

With all the health benefits of physical activity, it is no surprise that experts have determined there are also health costs associated with inactivity.  According to research done at North Carolina State University, the cost estimate for inactivity is $1,412 in direct and indirect health costs per inactive person per year.  By helping 300 Ellis County participants become more active, the potential estimated cost savings of Walk Kansas in Ellis County is $423,600!

Ellis County walkers were among nearly 16,000 people statewide who participated in the K-State Research and Extension Walk Kansas program. Local efforts were enhanced by a team of Leadership students from Fort Hays University who worked with me to organize, plan and promote Walk Kansas activities this year.

If you’d like enjoy the benefits of physical fitness with a fun team atmosphere, plan to join Walk Kansas next year, March 15 to May 9, 2015. Until then, keep moving and eating well!

Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.