Leaders of the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project, sponsored by United Health Foundation, announced today that the life expectancy of the citizens of Albert Lea increased an average of 3.1 years per person during the unprecedented 10-month city health makeover.

The project was designed to inspire residents to take charge of their health so that they can live longer, better.

More than 2,300 residents followed the Vitality Compass — an interactive tool on www.aarp.org/bluezonesproject that helped measure an individual’s projected life expectancy based on current behaviors.

“Congratulations to Albert Lea for showing that by taking on this project in full force, one small town in America can become a model for improving health,” said Nancy Graham, editor of AARP The Magazine.

“We at the United Health Foundation are proud to have underwritten this project,” added Daniel Johnson, executive director of United Health Foundation. “The people of Albert Lea have demonstrated that by making modest changes, a community can make meaningful health improvements.”

Since January 2009, community leaders have been working to make changes to their community that will promote health and longevity. The Vitality Project was an unprecedented attempt to put into practice the principles that Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner discovered while exploring places around the world where people live extraordinarily long and healthy lives.

“The key to success was staying away from guilt, struggle and sacrifice. Unlike other public health initiatives, we took much of the focus off of a strict diet or exercise plan. Instead, we based the project on what I learned in the Blue Zones and focused on improving habitat, social networks, community infrastructure and the residents’ sense of purpose,” Buettner said.

As a result of the Vitality Project, important changes were made in the way residents eat, work, exercise and play.

First, the community infrastructure and environment was improved in Albert Lea:

With the help of University of Minnesota professor Leslie Lytle, school district policies were changed to encourage healthy eating and more activity.

A major walking/biking trail was completed around Fountain Lake to encourage residents to make movement an everyday part of life. Local government entities hastened work on their plans for more walking and biking.

Hundreds of school children joined walking school buses.

Second, individuals and families improved their habitat by making intentionally subtle changes that encouraged healthy eating and natural physical movement.

With the help of healthy eating expert Dr. Brian Wansink, the town’s employers transformed their workplaces by encouraging healthy behaviors;

Sixty-eight percent of locally-owned restaurants improved their menus with food that promotes longevity; and individuals learned how to make simple changes in their kitchen and home set-up.

Local grocery stores promoted “longevity tags” to showcase healthy eating, and community leaders encouraged gardening in new community gardens and at home.

Third, social circles were emphasized and encouraged, because who your friends are has a powerful impact on your long-term health behaviors.

More than 600 citizens of Albert Lea joined walking “moais” — or social groups — to promote exercise while strengthening social bonds and bringing neighbors together.

And, finally, residents were given the opportunity to explore their purpose in life and to give back to their community. Having a sense of purpose is a key factor in increasing your life expectancy.

More than 150 volunteers joined as Vitality Project ambassadors to promote this project.

Citizens logged more than 2,200 hours worth of additional community service hours.

Nearly 1,000 residents participated in a purpose seminar led by national purpose experts Richard Leider and Barbara Hoese.

The town leaders plan to continue the progress toward a healthier city and AARP The Magazine will feature the project in its January/February issue, in addition to returning to Albert Lea in a year to track the progress. Additional information can be found at www.aarp.org/bluezonesproject.