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Published on 07/31/14

Help UGA Extension's Walk Georgia test new website by logging physical activity

By Kathryn Schiliro

Are you willing to help combat obesity in Georgia? University of Georgia Extension needs interested Georgians to test the new Walk Georgia website by registering for the program and logging physical activity online.

Walk Georgia is a Web-based program offered with no registration cost to all Georgians. As a part of UGA Extension, the program is based in communities across Georgia. Extension agents and program staff throughout the state plan community events, meet residents in person and provide incentives in their counties.

Pilot session participants can register for the testing phase of the new Walk Georgia website at pilot.walkgeorgia.org and begin tracking their physical activity data online. Participants can create and join groups, or join as an individual. Customizable sessions and goals will be available soon.

A $1 million, three-year grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation allowed for a complete renovation of the Walk Georgia website and the improved program offerings. Goals of this better equipped Walk Georgia program include reaching 100,000 Georgians and decreasing obesity by 5 percent in all Georgia counties over the next three years.

Through the new Walk Georgia website, participants can log on and track their physical activity year-round. The website now scales to mobile devices and will be integrated with popular social media outlets.

Improvements to the Walk Georgia system also make it better suited as a worksite wellness program. Walk Georgia is also being adapted for classroom use. Schools, districts and entire systems can participate in Walk Georgia; competition between classes, grades or schools can be enabled by teachers simply logging aggregate activity data for their class. Walk Georgia-based lesson plans will be available for elementary school teachers this year.

Willing participants in the website’s testing phase are asked to log on to pilot.walkgeorgia.org, create an account and begin logging their activity. Sign up for the weekly Walk Georgia newsletter during the registration process or visit the daily blog at blog.extension.uga.edu/walkgeorgia/ to keep track of the pilot’s progress. Email questions and feedback to walkga@uga.edu.

Managing Editor, Office of Communications and Creative Services

Authors:
Kathryn Schiliro
Experts/Sources:
Maria Bowie
Revised Walk Georgia Logo 2014 Effingham County 4-H volunteers shared information with and guided Georgia county commissioners and staff along the route of the near two-mile Wellness Walk at the Association County Commissioners of Georgia's annual conference in Savannah this spring. Pictured are (left to right) Faith Jordan, 4-H program assistant; Hannah Weitman, Samm McDuffie, Marci Delcampo, Lexie Wells, Alex Parrish and Anna Paulk, all 4-H volunteers; and Connie Rahn, 4-H program assistant.
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