CARSON CITY , NV - Nevada Assemblyman John Oceguera, Senator Valerie Wiener, Assemblyman Richard Perkins and Senator William Raggio today joined UNLV researchers in launching The Nevada 100 Challenge, a unique, web-based program designed to promote health and wellness during the legislative session. Nevada legislators, legislative staff and members of the media are invited to take part in this pilot study, which challenges participants to choose daily healthy activities, recording their progress through a web-based tracking system. The program takes its name from its integrated menu of 100 activities, identified as day-to-day choices even busy individuals can make to contribute to overall health.
Inspiration for The Nevada 100 Challenge came from Assemblyman John Oceguera, a captain with the North Las Vegas Fire Department. Oceguera experienced firsthand the positive effects of programs provided by UNLV's Office of Research and Development for Firefighter Wellness and Fitness, and asked the university's researchers whether a similar program could be adapted for Nevada's lawmakers.
"The legislative environment is not typically conducive to maintaining good health," said Oceguera. "The session involves a lot of stress, as well as long hours of sedentary work, sleep deprivation and typically poor eating habits. Healthy individuals think more clearly and are more effective at their work. Where is that more important than at our state Legislature?"
The program is an interdisciplinary effort of UNLV's College of Education, Division of Health Sciences and Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. Program co-coordinator Chuck Regin, Director of the Office of Research and Development for Firefighter Wellness and Fitness, says Oceguera's idea provides the perfect opportunity for a pilot study.
"The Legislative environment is an ideal test bed for this program, designed to teach participants how simple daily choices can have a positive impact on health status," said Regin. "With the rising cost of health care in the U.S. and in Nevada, there has never been a better time to embrace that old adage, 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'"
Participants in the 13 week study will utilize a special website to self-report activities designed to increase or maintain fitness, improve eating practices, increase physical activity and help manage stress. Progress will be tracked throughout the study, and post-program follow up will be conducted in the months following the evaluation period.
Program co-coordinator Jean Henry of UNLV's Department of Health Promotion and Greg Levitt, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education hope that the creative, enjoyable format of The Nevada 100 Challenge will raise awareness of serious health issues among legislators and Nevada citizens.
"Nevada ranks below national averages on many health and disease-related measures," said Henry. "By encouraging our legislators to participate in wellness and health-enhancing actions, we hope to raise awareness among all Nevadans. The overall goal of this project is to reduce the risk of life style-related health problems through the personal behavior choices we make every day."
