You won't find soda pop or fried foods in Wells County schools these days. In their place are milk vending machines, after-school walking programs, and healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

While Indiana ranks among the nation's most obese states, the children and adults of Wells County have lost more than a ton of weight, are exercising more, and are eating healthier thanks to an ambitious community initiative coordinated by Ball State.

Operation Wellness is funded by $1 million in grants from the national Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the local Caylor-Nickel Foundation, and other Wells County funding partners. With the support of more than a dozen community partners, the program is improving health, fitness, and quality of life and reducing chronic disease associated with diet and weight.

"One of our main objectives has been to improve health awareness," says Tammy Schaffer, co-chair of the Operation Wellness Advisory Board. "It's not only about exercise, but also nutrition. People are thinking about the snacks they eat, drinking milk, and serving better foods in our schools."

Combating obesity is critical to Indiana's future. According to a recent article in The Indianapolis Star, obesity-related illnesses cost the state more than $1.6 billion in 2000 and are increasing Indiana's Medicare and Medicaid expenses. Poor health also affects student achievement and employee productivity.

In Wells County, a 2001 study found that 40 percent of all fourth grade students were overweight or at risk for being overweight.

Operation Wellness is trying to boost the number of youths and adults who engage in daily physical activity, consume at least five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and eat healthy meals and snacks. These objectives are achieved through a variety of after-school activities, classes for adults, workplace programs, and media efforts.

Youth activity programs include walking, jumping rope, biking, tae kwon do, yoga, drama, music, bowling, tumbling/cheerleading, and special needs basketball. AHA Kids Camp focuses on physical activity, nutrition, and artistic projects in the summer.

Ball State faculty and students have helped Wells County develop and implement wellness plans for each school district and launch many fitness programs for adults. Nearly 1,000 adults and 1,300 youths have participated in Operation Wellness programs.

The results are impressive and measurable. Residents are enjoying reduced blood pressure and body weight and increased cardiovascular fitness, and they're more aware of how their actions impact their quality of life.

"The improvements in health cross all genders and age groups," says Carol Friesen, associate professor in Ball State's Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. "We continue to receive letters, e-mails, and phone calls from people thanking us for offering the program and urging us to continue it."