Guest Editorial | Kerry Hohbach

You’ve heard of the Blue Zones Project. Maybe even gone on-line, or texted your support for Red Oak to be named a Blue Zones Demonstration community. But many have rightfully been asking the question, “What is Blue Zones all about?”  “Why is there so much buzz being created about this program?”  

Back in late September, the word about Blue Zones began filtering into town as a program developed by Governor Branstad along with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hy-Vee, Fareway and others.  A group of businesses, health care providers, school district representatives, and the YMCA looked at the program and decided that a larger group had to be involved before a decision could be made to make an application or not.  A group of 18 community leaders traveled to Harlan to listen to a “Road Show” presented by Healthways, and Blue Zone creator Dan Buettner.  After returning to Red Oak with the knowledge they had learned, this group decided to become fully involved in the application competition which all knew would be intense.  

84 Iowa Communities expressed interest in being invited to make a full application. At the end of November Red Oak was one of 54 communities invited to make a full application.

Why does Red Oak want to become one of 10 communities awarded this distinction and what does it mean to the citizens?  

Last March, Montgomery County was named as one of the unhealthiest in Iowa ranking 96 of 99 counties. Unemployment was at almost a record high and many people were, and still are, not feeling good about their lives.  We have one of the largest populations of retired citizens and those over 65 and that number is growing faster than the number of young people coming to town.  On the other side of the coin, Red Oak has fine facilities to promote healthy life styles.  

If Red Oak is named one of the 10 communities to receive the designation as a Blue Zones demonstration community what will happen?

Healthways will send a team of experts on living longer healthier lives to our community for 12 to 18 months to work with local leaders in our food industry, school system, health providers, social organizations, businesses and industries, city government and the faith community to establish an environment that will promote a healthy life style.

Blue Zones has established the “Power 9” behaviors that are grouped into four categories: Move Naturally, Eat Wisely, enjoy the Right Outlook on life, and have a sense of belonging.

Here are the nine Behaviors Blue Zones emphasizes for all citizens.

Move naturally.  We can get more physical activity naturally if we live in a community that makes walking in a safe environment accessible to all. We can make gardening spots available to all who wish to grow their own food. We can help children walk to school every day. We can open doors to those who want to exercise daily, but don’t feel they can pay to play;

— Have a Purpose.  People who know why they wake up in the morning live up to seven years longer than those who don’t.

— Down Shift.  To reverse inflammation related to every major age-related disease, find time each day to meditate, nap, pray or enjoy a happy hour;

— 80 percent rule.  It takes the stomach 20 minutes to tell the brain it is full causing most people to accidently overeat; so stop when you feel 80 percent full.

— Plant Slant.  Eat mostly a plant-based diet heavy on beans, nuts and green plants. This is consistent with the USDA’s My Plate recommendations to make fruits, vegetables and grains the majority of your daily intake. This does not mean take meat out of one’s diet. It simply shifts the percentage of calories from protein to plant consumption.

— Wine at 5:  If a person has a healthy relationship to alcohol, one or two glasses of wine daily could help add years to one’s life, especially when consumed with a healthy diet.

— Family First.  Living in a thriving family is worth a half a dozen extra years of life expectancy. Invest time in your kids and grandkids, nurture a monogamous relationship and keep those aging parents nearby;

— Belong. Recommit, reconnect or explore a new faith-based community. No matter which faith, studies found that people who show up to their faith community four times a month live an extra 4 – 14 years.;

— Right Tribe. Friends have a long-term impact on well-being. Expanding ones social circle to include healthy-minded, supportive people might be the most powerful thing one can do to add years to life.

How did this list of the “Power 9” behaviors come into being?

The National Geographic Society studied five regions of the world where people live longer and healthier. They sent physicians who study longevity to these areas and found similar threads.  

From this study came the “Power 9” Behaviors and the Blue Zones Project.

In order to be successful, Red Oak has to have all of the business and governmental organizations on board to move this project forward.  We do! We also need citizens support  as well.  To demonstrate citizen support we ask you to go on-line and register.  www.bluezonesproject.com  or text “BZP” to 772937.  

Currently Red Oak is 15th in Iowa in community support. Our goal is to be in the top 10. That is where your support is so important. If you are 13 or older and live in the 51566 zip code, register soon.  If you do not have an email address, go to the YMCA and sign a petition showing your support.

Kerry Hohbach is the local Blue Zones coordinator. For more info, call 623-4156 or 623-4053.