RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Team Randolph members will soon have an opportunity to compete against personnel from all the armed services in a challenge that encourages wellness.
Crews Into Shape, an event sponsored annually since 2001 by the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, takes place March 3-28. The challenge, held in conjunction with national Nutrition Month, promotes workplace-focused, team-oriented physical activity and improved nutrition throughout the Department of Defense.
Crews from Randolph competed for the first time last year, when four teams were entered in the challenge.
"We'd like to have a lot more than that this year," said Jennifer Sides, registered dietitian at the Health and Wellness Center, which helps promote the event. Feb. 28 is the deadline to register. "We tried it out last year, and it was easy to participate because it's Web-based. We decided to do it basewide this year."
Col. Jacqueline Van Ovost, 12th Flying Training Wing vice commander, credits the HAWC team for bringing the challenge to the health promotion working team's attention.
"Crews Into Shape is a team-oriented program that focuses on nutrition as well as exercise," she said. "The program is fun, rewarding and easy since it's online."
The challenge consists of two- to 10-member teams, or crews, who earn points for meeting daily goals of eating five servings of fruits and/or vegetables, exercising 30 minutes, drinking water and other healthy fluids and achieving a weight-loss goal.
Members also earn extra points for participating in a weekly crew activity, registering at www.mypyramid.gov, turning in a weekly worksheet to their crew leader on time and completing a post-Crews survey; crews earn extra points if all members reach certain goals. The crew leader is responsible for submitting worksheets to the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center.
Crews that earn the most points will win T-shirts; the challenge also features a "Crewsinest Crew" name contest. Ms. Sides said prizes will be awarded at Randolph as well.
The HAWC team is busy promoting the challenge to meet the Feb. 28 deadline.
"We're sending the word out to all the first sergeants, physical training leaders, commanders and fitness groups," said Lori Tibbetts, HAWC health education program manager. "At the Mission Support Squadron, 30 people have already registered. I'd like to see a team from each group."
Both Ms. Sides and Ms. Tibbetts agreed that many active-duty personnel are physically fit and watch their weight but find proper nutrition a challenge.
Still, a 2006 survey showed that 61 percent of active-duty members over 20 years old were overweight and only 10 percent ate three or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Furthermore, only 61 percent exercised at a moderate rate, defined as 30 minutes three times weekly.
But the challenge appears to be reaping dividends. Last year, nearly 2,000 Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Soldiers, family members, Department of Defense civilians and DoDDS teachers registered for the challenge. Almost 60 percent of the participants who completed the post-challenge questionnaire said they met their weight-loss or weight-gain goal; most said the challenge helped them improve their daily habits regarding exercise, fruit and vegetable consumption and water intake.
Colonel Van Ovost said she would like to see Team Randolph members "have fun" with the program but also transform their lifestyles.
"We want to 'show off' our teams and make positive and enduring lifestyle changes for our co-workers and families," she said. "Better nutrition and fitness is a daily endeavor, and programs such as 'Crews Into Shape' will be key to achieving our goals."
Colonel Van Ovost said the challenge will also boost esprit de corps at Randolph.
"The competition will build camaraderie amongst work center personnel, both those participating and those supporting the team's goals," she said. "It will also build lifestyle changes that will endure beyond March, benefiting the members and their families."
For more information, call the HAWC at 652-2300 or visit www.nehc.med.navy.mil and follow the index link to Crews Into Shape.