Stairwells across Clark County may be a bit more crowded than usual on May 4.
For one day, a Leadership Clark County group is encouraging everyone to take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. They’re calling on local businesses to promote the event and asking city officials to proclaim May 4 as Take the Stairs Day.
Organizers hope the one-day event will lead to a trend of increased stair use and “encourage people to make one small change to be more healthy,” said Steve Nicholson, an event organizer.
“I think it’s an easy thing people can do,” he said.
Research has shown the average person can lose 6 pounds per year by walking up two flights of stairs a day, Nicholson said. While it’s not a significant weight loss, public health officials say it can lead to people making healthier choices in other areas of their lives.
“It gets people moving more throughout the day,” said John Wiesman, Clark County Public Health director. “The more we can do those little things to add to the number of steps people are taking, the more likely they are to continue making healthy choices.”
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study shed light on what encourages people to choose the stairs.
The Atlanta-based CDC conducted a study beginning in 1998 to see if making physical changes to a stairwell in its Koger Center Rhodes Building would motivate employees to use the stairs. Crews remodeled the stairwell by carpeting the stairs, painting the walls bright colors, hanging framed artwork and motivational posters on the walls and playing music.
The study found making those physical improvements and adding motivational signs and music increased stairwell use among building occupants.
In addition to the physical appearance, location of the stairwells also plays a role in whether or not someone takes the stairs, Wiesman said.
Research shows if signs directing people to the stairs are posted at the spot where a person decides between taking the stairs or elevators, people are more inclined to take the stairs, he said.
In addition, stairwells are usually difficult to find, whereas elevators are well-signed and easier to find, Wiesman said. To try and shift that practice, public health officials are encouraging building design with open central staircases, he said.
In addition to physical exercise, taking the stairs also relieves stress. And, as people become healthier, company morale increases, absenteeism is reduced and health care costs go down, Nicholson said.
Clark County Public Health, Leadership Clark County and nonprofit Community Choices are sponsoring Take the Stairs Day. Several local cities have joined in the effort, too.
Take the Stairs Day organizers hope to get 50 businesses to pledge to participate in the May event. The group will provide signs and promotional information to participating organizations.
Interested businesses can e-mail organizers at clarkcountystairs@gmail.com.
Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546 or marissa.harshman@columbian.com.
