Activities

Press Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Chris J. Minnick, (505) 528-5197
March 29, 2005 Cell Phone: (505) 649-0754

New program encourages woman to start walking

LAS CRUCES – Women who turn off the television and start walking report that they experience more energy, less stress and feel better overall, according to the results of research from the New Mexico Department of Health.

Women all over the city have just received a magazine called “Start Walking,” a bilingual publication that tells the story of two women who make walking a part of their lives and encourage others to do the same, said Heidi Krapfl, interim program manager and epidemiologist for the New Mexico Department of Health Diabetes Prevention and Control Program.

According to Krapfl, the magazine was developed in direct response to results learned through social marketing research efforts in the Las Cruces area conducted over the last two years by the New Mexico Department of Health Diabetes Prevention and Control Program. This research is consistent with national findings as well.

“There has been an explosion of diabetes among young adult Hispanic women,” Krapfl said. “In New Mexico, approximately 23,000 Hispanic women over the age of 35 have diagnosed diabetes and there are many more, perhaps as many as another 11,000, who have diabetes and don't yet know it.”

The magazine describes a young woman whose busy life makes it difficult for her to incorporate an exercise program. With the encouragement of an older neighbor, she makes that decision and likes the many benefits she experiences.

The magazine also describes 10 reasons to begin a walking program, tips for getting started and includes a map of the 20 top trails in Las Cruces, organized by section of the city, and the length (in miles) for each trail.

Las Cruces resident Rose Duran, who began a walking program two-and-a-half years ago, started walking because of the effects of diabetes. Now, she says, “It gives me a lot of energy.”

“I was frustrated and angry because I didn’t want to do it at first and I ached all over. But once I was going for about 10 minutes, the energy began to flow, and I felt so much better. It took me about a week and a half to get in the flow,” Duran said. “I started to figure out what time of the day is best for me. Some people like to work out early in the morning, but not me. If I do my exercise right after work, I get that energy push.”

Diabetes in Hispanic women ages 30 to 39 has increased by at least 70 percent in the last 10 years according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, Krapfl said women should not be discouraged by this statistic.

“This is a trend that can be reversed. The Diabetes Prevention Program, a national study, showed that adults at risk for developing diabetes can prevent or delay the disease. How? Get 30 minutes of physical activity, such as walking, five days a week. Combine that walking with healthy eating to lose a modest amount of weight. About 10 to 15 pounds is all it takes,” Krapfl said.

Anyone interested in starting a walking program can call the City of Las Cruces Walk Doña Ana program at 541-2581. The program sponsors walks and shares information about other walks throughout the city and offers a complete packet of materials about walking.

For more information, contact Chris J. Minnick, District III public information officer, at (505) 528-5197. To learn more about other public health services, visit the District III website at www.healthynm.org.