Maryland finds success in promoting physical activity.

COUNTY and municipal parks and recreation facilities across Maryland are promoting good health through a wide array of supportive policies, such as not using food as a reward in youth sports programs, designing trails to be accessible to wheelchairs and promoting safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.

A recently released survey of the state's parks and recreation programs found that such policies are helping state residents get active and eat better. The survey is, in part, a response to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's state Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan, which asks each state agency to help address Maryland's almost 60 percent rate of overweight overweight and obesity among adults.

The survey found that sports teams and classes are widely offered, as are out-of-school programs and trips, fitness programs for all ages and therapeutic recreation programs. The survey documented more than 17,000 core physical activity programs serving more than 360,000 Marylanders. About 70 percent of the state's recreation programs responded to the survey.

For example, the Montgomery Village Association offered a lunchtime walking program, called "Walking for Health," aimed at stay-at-home moms, seniors and other adults. The Rockville Department of Recreation and Parks worked with three elementary schools to promote International Walk to School Day.

Fitness challenges in the state often mixed physical activity with nutrition education to encourage kids and adults to improve their overall fitness levels. The Get Active Howard County program aimed to encourage those living or working in the county who didn't already exercise regularly to become acquainted with the area's trails, health clubs, athletic fields and gyms and to work out regularly over a 10-week period. More than 1,200 people participated in the effort. The Family Fitness Challenge in Annapolis urged city employees and community members to eat more fruits and vegetables and get physically active.

The survey also detailed a number of health fairs that sought to expose community members to recreation activities and healthier eating habits. Sponsored sporting events included running races, a youth biathlon as well as triathlon, a punt, pass and kick contest, and a walk designed especially for toddlers and kindergarten--age children.

Dan Levy, MD, president of the Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said such programs are key to encouraging all Americans to get moving.

"Pediatricians today should be writing prescriptions for patients and their families to get active and participate in parks and recreation activities such as swimming, hiking, sports, walking and cycling and to substantially decrease their time watching television and playing video games," Levy said.

A report on the survey included a summary of policies that help support the state's efforts to cut down on obesity. For example, in Ocean City, the police department holds semi-annual bike safety seminars and bike checks, and the city sponsors a "Walk Safe" campaign. In Worcester County, pathways accessible to the disabled were recently installed in all county parks with athletic fields to give universal access to fields and playgrounds as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. A project under way in St. Mary's County will transform a 28-mile, county-owned railroad right of way into a trail for walking, running, bicycling and horseback riding.

Ron Schroers, president of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association and director of recreation and parks for the city of Westminster, said the report helped those in the recreation field share ideas and make plans for future programs.

The entire report, "Get Active Maryland! A Prescription for Health," is available from www. mrpanet.org/whatsnew.html.