Aviano wins $300K in BMI challenge

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The 31st Fighter Wing is $300,000 richer, thanks to the hard work of many Aviano Airmen.

Aviano was deemed the winner of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Body Mass Index Challenge that ran from December 2008 thru June 2009, going from 26.13 to 25.83 for a 0.3 percent loss between the first and second weigh-in.

"Last year I challenged each of my wing commanders to reduce the average BMI of their wings," said Gen. Roger Brady, USAFE commander. "The intent was to improve our overall well-being, making us more combat ready and simply healthier. The results are in and while the overall reduction in the command BMI average of 0.12 may be small, that actually equates to significant progress across our entire population of nearly 30,000 Airmen. I am sure many individuals took the challenge very seriously and significantly improved their health."

During the BMI challenge, Aviano health and fitness specialists offered a variety of programs that helped steer base Airmen on the path toward a healthier lifestyle and at the same time achieving an ideal BMI, said Maj. Lora Pietszak, 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron health promotion flight commander.

"Programs such as the Biggest Winner, LEARN (Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude, Relationships and Nutrition), and additional Health and Wellness Center classes had a major impact on the competition," she said. "Not only did these programs help motivate people to shed pounds, but it provided them with the support and assistance needed to make a positive lifestyle change."

The Biggest Winner competition, which was sponsored by the Dragon Fitness Center and HAWC, ran mid-January thru mid-April and was designed to encourage people to learn about a healthier lifestyle and participate in fitness classes.

With about 400 people enrolled, it gave participants the chance to work with a certified exercise specialist throughout the competition and earn points based on pounds and inches lost. Participants also received points by participating in various health and wellness and fitness-related events.

The LEARN program, which is a 12-week intensive lifestyle modification program geared toward weight management, also played a big role in Aviano weight loss, with some of the Biggest Winner competition top finishers having participated in the LEARN program as well.

The HAWC also provided 21 additional classes during this time to include cardio and strength training, multiple nutrition and education related classes, as well as fatigue/stress management.

"The wing also implemented a two-person taping requirement for the waist measurement portion of the PT (physical training) test, which I think motivated some people to really focus on slimming down ," said Kevin Egger, exercise physiologist and Aviano's fitness program manager.

Mr. Egger added that all of these programs and incentives are important in preparing Aviano Airmen for changes ahead.

"The Air Force is coming down with much higher physical expectations," he said. "These positive lifestyle changes couldn't come at a better time. What our Airmen really need to focus on now is not only having an active lifestyle, but backing it up with a healthy diet. I don't think people pay enough attention to the dietary side, which is so critical. I would even say its 75 percent dietary and 25 percent exercise."

Aviano will be using the monetary reward from the BMI challenge in six main quality of life areas to include $150,000 toward the next phase of the base perimeter jogging path, $65,000 toward aircrew gym equipment, $30,000 toward the HAWC, $25,000 toward the Community Center's Cyber Cafe, $15,000 toward 31st Maintenance Operations Squadron carpeting and $15,000 toward 31st Operations Group parachute simulator upgrades.

The second most improved wing in the BMI challenge was the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, which received $200,000 and the third most improved wing was the 65th Air Base Wing, Lajes Field, Azores, which earned $100,000.