In an effort to raise awareness of the importance of being active and eating smart, America On the Move in Texas, in partnership with The Cooper Institute’s Oak Cliff Center, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, The YMCA and GET A MOVE ON Dallas’ citywide fitness initiative, and City of Dallas Park and Recreation, have challenged the Oak Cliff community in Southwest Dallas to “Make September, Steptember” by adding 2000 steps (or one mile) to their daily activity and by cutting 100 calories by following the suggestions of the USDA’s MyPyramid food guidance system (www.mypyramid.gov) every day during the month of September. According to statistics published by the Texas Department of State Health Services, 64 percent of Texas adults are overweight or obese.  This is twice the national average! Thirty-five percent of Texas school children are considered overweight or at risk for overweight and, in Dallas alone, 16 percent of the school aged population is overweight, with 20 percent more Dallas students at risk for becoming overweight.  The typical Texas lifestyle, which often includes far too little physical activity and far too many calories from unhealthy foods, causes energy imbalance (we eat more calories than we burn) and contributes to the growing problem of overweight and obesity in our state

To celebrate the Steptember success of participating organizations and schools, which include Bishop Dunne High School, A. W. Brown Elementary, Renaissance Hospital, Primrose Oaks Senior Living, and the new Hampton Illinois Library located in Oak Cliff, America On the Move in Texas will be holding the second annual Oak Cliff Day of Action, Wednesday, September 27, beginning at 8:30 a.m. for Bishop Dunne, Renaissance, the Library, and Primrose and with a second start for the 450 A.W. Brown Elementary Students at 9:30 am. Participants will be given the option of taking a 2000 or a 3000 step walk and Councilman Ed Oakley will kick off the event again this year at Kiest Park Recreation Center’s Outdoor Track (3080 S. Hampton, Dallas).  The USDA’s Power Panther, America On the Move’s L’il Tex mascot, and the YMCA’s Y Guy will all be there to lead a warm up, encourage walkers, and to get everyone doing the America On the Move in Texas Two Step. 

“We are so excited to be able to hold this event for the second year in a row at Kiest Park,” says Claire Avant, Affiliate Coordinator of America On the Move in Texas. “Last year was a great success and this year we are expecting over 600 people to participate in the walk, from kindergarteners to older adults. I’m proud of Oak Cliff for taking on the Steptember Challenge and I think that they are sending an inspiring message to the rest of the city, by being active and celebrating better health.”

America On the Move in Texas, the local affiliate of America On the Move, hopes Texans will make two small changes to make September, Steptember.  Texans can register to take an extra 2,000 steps (about one mile) and eat 100 fewer calories during the month of September and beyond by visiting ww.americaonthemove.org.

Event Photos

City Councilman Ed Oakley poses with students before the walk.	Warm up stretching for each group started out the event.	Bishop Dunne Highschool studens show excitement as they walk.
The Steptember Walk was led off around the track on a breazy morning	Seniors from Primrose celebrate their walk with the victory cup.	A large number of students enjoyed the special walk event.