Well, after so much of divided reports and claims posted by people who are quite knowledgeable about the problem of obesity, we are back to some practical things. Across Mesa Public Schools in Arizona, around 6,500 5th-grade school children are being challenged to take 10,000 steps a day, which almost equals to around 5 miles, This challenge-sort is a part of the Walk On challenge program, which is intended to get students in shape during February and adopt a lifestyle that combats obesity. It is noticeable here that child obesity is one of the most threatening problems that doctors and health specialists agree upon.

It has been reported that more than 425 schools have signed on for the program–the program is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, which is also providing free tool kits, including pedometers to all the 33,000 5th-grade children registered so far.

To encourage 5th-grade children to do the walking, it has been declared that a student, who would walk 10,000 steps every day in February, will be registered to win one of 10 iPod nanos. Well, we can easily guess that students will be very happy to receive this prize, and it should motivate them enough to get in shape and enjoy a healthy life-style. It has also been declared that the school with the most students who qualify will receive a $2,500 grant to pay for a fitness-related field trip. We can clearly see that there is a lot of things to be won for students for schools alike!

However, he challenge is focused on 5th-grade students, though any class with students in grades K-8 can receive free tool kits and encourage students to walk. But we can clearly notice the intention of this challenge–to inculcate the habit of walking at quite an early stage, which is of course, very good and effective.