The World Fit Walk

Building Successful Partnerships

One Community at a time Presented by Gary W. Hall, M.D.

Lima, Peru 2013

The Crisis of Childhood Obesity

Together we can take big steps in solving this problem

Obesity rates have tripled in the USA since

1980

More than 33% of children over age 2 are obese

A child that is obese between ages 10 and 13

has an 80% chance of

becoming an obese adult

Obesity is associated with severe health

risks

Finding a Solution

Use Olympians and Paralympians world wide to mentor and educate school children and instill a

culture of fitness and good health

What is the World Fit Walk?

School Registration

(Fall, Winter & Spring)

Student Registration

(Winter/Spring)

Six Week Walk kickoff

(Monday after Spring

Break)

Students log miles daily

on WorldFit.org

Students receive miles

for sports activity and

buddy system

Students, buddies and

schools receive awards

A platform for Olympians to share

values and become role models for children

Six week Walk each spring to promote fitness, sport and

health

The World Fit Walk

Promotes physical fitness

and healthy lifestyle

Engages Olympians as

inspiration

Mentors students to

embrace sport and fitness

Promotes Olympic values:

Excellence, Friendship,

Respect and Fair Play

Connects with students

psychologically, academically

and technologically

Powerful Online Community

• The goal is to reach 1,500 schools, 500,000 students and log 15 million miles by 2016.

• Program extensions to include impacting the broader community through the World Fit Buddy program.

World Fit Growth

Rio London

The Success of World Fit depends on forming Partnerships

NOC and NOA

Department of Health or Health

Organizations

Department of Education or

School District

Corporate Partnerships

Other Fitness programs

Civic Organizations

United States Model for World Fit

Founded by the United States Olympians Association with

support of the USOC

To grow globally and achieve its mission, World Fit is now an

independent non-profit Foundation

H Health Organization Partners

South Florida

Philadelphia

Arizona

Education Partners

Corporate Partners

Other Fitness Partners

Civic Partners

World Fit Global Expansion

Researching the feasibility of introducing World Fit into Europe in 2014

Cayman Islands begins World Fit Walk in 2013

Getting Started

• Start with your NOC and NOA

• Find a National Corporate Partner(s) and/or Foundation

• Hire a World Fit National Director

• Build World Fit One Community at a time

• Find Community Partners: Corporate, Health, Fitness, Education, Civic

• Start small and think BIG!

Summary

Forming the right partnerships in each community can help a program like World Fit become much more successful.

Good partners bring credibility, resources, strength and teamwork to the program.

Thank You!