Lee Memorial offering wellness programs for children

Lee Memorial Health's System's President, Jim Nathan Childhood obesity and diabetes have experienced a sharp increase since the 1980s. The State of Florida has unfortunately been one of the most significantly impacted by these statistics. Educators and the Lee Memorial Health System are constantly looking for ways to combat these alarming trends. Additionally, to support the health and wellness of all of our children, programs are needed to educate young children about the need for hand washing and the impact it can have on cutting down on childhood illnesses and missed school days.

Three programs, all age appropriate and made to be "fun" and interesting for children, are seeking to combat the health issues facing the youngest members of our community. This health and wellness series is modeled after successful programs at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital of Tampa. Two of these programs have been making an important impact on the children of Lee County Schools:

• "Germaine the Germ" - A kindergarten and first grade hand-washing and common cold prevention program featuring a fun signature cartoon character "Germaine".

• Mission Nutrition - A fourth and fifth grade nutritional educational program that features ways to make healthy food choices, what appropriate portion sizes look like and how to add more fiber and nutrients to the child's everyday life.

The programs each have an individual health educator specializing in the childtailored material, who travels from school to school educating students on the critical health and wellness facts that will help them throughout all stages of their lives.

On the table, needing community support to augment the children's health and wellness series, is the educational program "Body Safari".

"Body Safari" is a health and anatomy educational program tailored for second and third graders. This interactive class takes second and third grade students on a fascinating "safari" through the human body. During this 50-minute presentation, students go on a journey through the body, exploring how groups of organs work together to make up one body system. Students discover ways to keep these systems running smoothly and effectively. Life size organs are used to discuss function and fun facts about the body. Safety and health information are then incorporated into an interactive game where students learn concrete ways to protect each of their systems from harm and danger.

The primary goals of "Body Safari" are to educate students about their body systems and provide important safety, nutrition and wellness facts.

The three programs in the child health and wellness series cost approximately $18,000 each to develop and administer in each county. Though the programs started in Lee County, Collier County children will soon be included in the outreach programs due to grant funding recently provided by the Naples Children & Education Foundation. The Lee County program series remains in place thanks in part to extensive support from Publix Super Markets Charities and additional support from Colonial Bank, Aetna Insurance and The Mediterra Fund.

"At Colonial Bank, we believe supporting future generations is the greatest commitment the business world has to its community," said Harlan C. Parrish, president and CEO of Colonial Bank's Florida West Coast region of the funding toward Mission Nutrition. "Nutrition is an important matter in today's fast food society. Mission Nutrition teaches students the importance of eating and living a healthy lifestyle, which is vital to their future well-being."

Adult health and nutrition programs are also being funded through the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation and need ongoing financial support. One of the key obesity prevention programs being offered is The Sweetbay Challenge, funded by a $30,000 grant from Sweetbay Supermarkets. This program offers employees of Lee County companies, schools and non-profit organizations the opportunity to participate in a free weight loss program, offered by Lee Health Solutions conveniently at their work site.

"Obesity remains a critical issue for many of our community members and we think it is such an important issue to address with education and outreach," said Lee Memorial Health's System's President Jim Nathan. "We are excited about the opportunity to share this partnership program with other corporations and non-profit organizations in the hope that we can get the word out to as many people as possible. Nutrition knowledge is truly one of the first steps in understanding the health and wellness of the body. We look forward to some fantastic results and success stories from the participants."

The Sweetbay Challenge is garnering excellent results and is getting rave reviews from its participants.

To find out how your corporation can get involved in making Southwest Florida a healthier community by supporting a Child Advocacy Program or by supporting an adult health and wellness program, please call the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation office at (239) 985-3550.