A Fitbit, Health, and Fitness Outbreak at Buffalo State

Weigel Health Center has a new project on its hands for the summer

Free reusable image from FitBit a commercial.

The Weigel Health Center is planning to revamp its Health and Activity Program for the fall semester at SUNY Buffalo State.

During the past few semesters, the health center has attempted to promote wellness through exercise through health and fitness and an awareness of nutrition. Staff members were able to start this program by asking for a grant from Faculty-Student Association(FSA) and health insurance companies that work with them.

The program includes a $10 deposit to receive a Fitbit and become part of the Buffalo State community in the program. At the end of the program, participants receive their deposit back. The Health, Nutrition and Dietetics Department would work with the program to give the participants a baseline assessment.

Fitbit features include:

·         A watch

·         Wireless syncing

·         Exercise tracking (steps, stairs, miles, calories burned)

·         Recognizing different activities (cardio, sports, biking)

·         Sleep tracking

·         Silent alarms

·         Long battery life

·         Some have heart rate tracking technology and caller ID

·         Online communities and competing with friends

If participants already have a Fitbit, the student just needs to join the online community and participate with the events from the eight week program. They also would need to fill out an application so that they know who is involved in the program.

It is available for students, faculty and staff.

"Being part of a community allows you to have a friendly competition with friends," said Dr. Theresa Stephan Hains the director of the Weigel Health Center. "And most of the time you don't know how much you walk. The benefit is that you can set goals. It's all about motivational support."

Throughout the program, those who participate have access to a nutrition speaker, general health workshops, and other activities.

"We have had very successful people," Hains said. "A lot had achieved their goals of increasing their activity. They used it to meet their personal fitness goals."

The only problem was that the center has had a hard time promoting the program at Buffalo State.

Art History major, Lucy LaPlaca agrees.

"I unfortunately haven't heard of the program," LaPlaca said. "But it does sound pretty cool and I would definitely want to check it out next semester."

"We are hoping that some Health, Nutrition and Dietetics upperclassmen will help us to promote it and organize it next year," Hains said. "Last year we had as many as 25 to 30 people but this semester we had seven or eight."

For next semester, the center hopes to ramp the program.

Hains doesn't want to give up on the program. She plans to increase advertising and the involvement with the Health, Nutrition and Dietetics Department. Even reaching out to other student clubs would help, she said.

"The problem has been getting the students know about it and using the Fitbit," Hains said. "Some of the people who join don't even join in the community."

LaPlaca suggested placing posters around the Student Union and Resident Dining Halls.

Maybe even handing out flyers or cards would help," LaPlaca said.

"I would like students to know that we do have a program for health and fitness," said Hains, "and that we welcome their participation."

For more information about the program, or becoming involved in the program next year, or any ideas for promoting the program, please contact Hains by email stephantr@buffalostate.edu or by phone, (716)878-6711.

Students may also visit the Weigel Health Center webpage at weigel.buffalostate.edu.