Alta View Hospital - Slim Down Sandy Program

Overview

Alta View Hospital is a 72-bed acute-care hospital serving residents in Utah. The hospital is part of Intermountain Healthcare, a non-profit system of hospitals, surgery centers, doctors and clinics that serves the medical needs of residents in Utah, southeastern Idaho and other states in the Intermountain West.

Alta View Hospital is an active member of the Healthy Sandy Partnership, a coalition of Sandy-area business, government, school and community representatives whose mission is to improve the health and wellness of the community. Alta View was one of the founding members of Healthy Sandy, which initiated in 1985. Since that time, the coalition has hosted numerous programs to improve the health of the community. The Slim Down Sandy program is one of those efforts. Launched in spring 2008, this 10-week program is designed to help area residents increase their daily activity, become nutritionally conscious, improve their health and lose weight. Participants in 2008 were given an opportunity to register for the free program at various community events, including the Senior Health Fair and the Spring Health Fair at Alta View Hospital. Registration included weigh-in, educational information, a cookbook and a participation gift. Each participant also received a free pedometer.

Throughout the program, participants received weekly e-mails with success stories and nutrition/fitness tips. Organized one-mile walks were held at various parks throughout the community on a weekly basis, with more than 100 people participating in each walk. Those who participated in seven of the nine walks were entered into a drawing at the weigh-out event. All who reached the goal of losing 10 pounds during the 10-week program were eligible for a free t-shirt and other prizes.

Impact

More than 400 people registered for the program. The highest individual weight loss was 23 pounds, with a collective loss of 804 pounds. One participant reported that she did not lose weight, but she dropped two pant sizes by increasing her activity. To maintain the momentum, Sandy Parks and Recreation continued to hold organized walks throughout the fall with weekly prizes. Residents reported that they benefited from the encouragement, the camaraderie and the introduction to different walking trails.

Challenges/success factors

Sponsors were vital to the program’s success. Local merchants provided prizes and attended the walks to offer products, consulting and body fat analysis. The cost of the program in 2008 was $6,197, which included: pedometers; registration packets with nutrition handouts, cookbook, fitness tips, and other items; banner to hang at registration and walks; t-shirts; and other prizes. No advertising dollars were allocated. The event was promoted along with a hospital health fair, a local senior fair, the city newsletter and free public announcements.

Future direction/sustainability

In 2009, the program provided a punch card to each registered participant. The participants receive points for various activities, including the walks, weighing in, attending nutrition talks, losing weight, etc. Those with a minimum of 45 points are eligible for prizes.

Advice to others

You must have active community members who are willing to support this event and donate prizes. Many volunteers are needed at the walks to set up and punch cards (or otherwise record participation). Accurate scales are needed for the weigh-in/out events; again, many volunteers are needed for registration.

Contact: Debbie Richards
Healthy Sandy Secretary
Telephone: 801-501-2702
E-mail: debbie.richards@imail.org