Volusia & Flagler Counties, FL – Several schools in Volusia and Flagler Counties are teaming up with Florida Hospital to help encourage children to be active.
Through the partnership, a before-school program was launched that enables kids to start their day walking or running with their friends. The program, the Morning Mile®, was created by Fitzness International in partnership with the American Diabetes Association in efforts to help children get active, fit and prepared to have good exercise habits in adulthood. You can learn more about the program here.
“On a national level, childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions and we are proud to support this important endeavor. Within Florida, one in four children are overweight or obese. These children are at risk for developing serious health problems, such as diabetes, asthma, and even heart failure,” said Florida Hospital’s Volusia and Flagler County assistant vice president of integrated marketing and executive champion of the program, Beverly Ivey.
“The percentage of children with obesity in the U.S. has more than tripled since the 1970s and about one in five school-aged children has obesity. This can have both immediate and long-term impacts on a child’s physical, social and emotional health. With the Morning Mile program’s physical activity and nutritional education, we hope to reduce the risk for obesity and early-onset of diabetes in children in our local elementary schools,” said Ivey.
The program will kick-off at Burns Science and Technology Charter School in Oak Hill, Citrus Grove Elementary School in DeLand, Orange City Elementary School in Orange City, R. J. Longstreet Elementary School in Daytona Beach and Rymfire Elementary School in Palm Coast.
Students beginning each day with a walk, jog or run will be motivated to continue using a reward system. By participating, children will reap the benefits of improved health, socialization with friends and healthy exercise habits.
“We know that reading, writing and math are essential parts of a child's education. However, health education cannot be ignored,” said Citrus Grove Elementary School Principal, Jennifer Williams. “By exercising in the morning before the school day begins, children are often more focused and able to sit still and learn. It is a vital part of empowering children, their families and our community with the skills necessary to develop healthy habits.”
Photo courtesy of Hibrida and Shutterstock.com.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
