APRIL 19-25 IS EVERY KID HEALTHY™ WEEK
Milton, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County will join the University of Florida Extension Service, Sodexo, and the Santa Rosa County District Schools in celebrating Every Kid Healthy Week, April 19-25. The observance raises awareness of efforts by schools and community partners to improve students’ health and wellness through increased physical activity and good nutrition.
On Friday, April 24, the East Milton Elementary lunchroom will be transformed into a learning laboratory where life sized talking fruits and vegetables will teach students the benefits of a healthy diet and the importance of physical activity. Staff from the University of Florida Extension Service will host a “tasting table” where students can sample fresh papaya, yellow squash and zucchini in a healthy dip. Students will also listen to a reading of a health and nutrition story book while enjoying nutritious treats. Teachers will be given teaching tools they can use to follow up with additional learning activities in the classroom. Parents are welcome and are encouraged to attend and enjoy the event with their children.
“Childhood obesity has really become an epidemic,” said Debbie Price, R.N., nursing program specialist with the DOH-Santa Rosa School Health Program. “If we can teach children the importance of a healthy diet and physical exercise, and make it fun, they will carry those lessons with them into adulthood, avoid weight related issues such as diabetes and heart disease and live longer, healthier lives.”
The Every Kid Healthy event will also include information on the 5-2-1-0 Let’s Go Santa Rosa! nutrition education program being implemented in Santa Rosa County schools as part of the Florida Department of Health Healthiest Weight initiative. 5-2-1-0 focuses on the importance of making healthy choices including:
Eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
Spending less than 2 hours daily on screen time (television or computer)
Being physically active for at least 1 hour per day, and
Consuming 0 sugary drinks and adding more water and low fat milk
