Florida Hospital Launches Health Education Program

Florida Hospital Launches First-of-Its-Kind Health Education Program To Combat Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Healthy 100 Kids partners with national program from WebMD and Sanford Health to launch new program in Central Florida schools and organizations

ORLANDO, Fla., October 25, 2011 - Students from around Central Florida are the first kids in the nation to experience a new and innovative program that teaches children and families the secrets of a healthy lifestyle and encourages them to join the mission to prevent childhood obesity. As a new component of Florida Hospital for Children's Healthy 100 Kids, the "Mission: Fit Possible" program equips local schools and community organizations with proven childhood obesity prevention tools that get children excited about healthy living. Hundreds of kids from around Central Florida recently got a sneak peek experience of the first-of-its-kind, interactive program that will be launching in January 2012.  

Fit, a national health and wellness initiative, was created by Sanford Health, which is based out of Sioux Falls, SD and Fargo ND and is the largest rural health care system in the country, in partnership with WebMD and supported by Florida Hospital for Children's Healthy 100 Kids program. The unique way that fit will be brought to life in the Central Florida community is through an interactive, educational program that will travel to various schools and organizations to teach kids and families about health in a fun and engaging way.  

"We know that by going into the community we will be able to effectively provide more families with access to health and wellness information," said Marla Silliman, administrator of Florida Hospital for Children.  "We have combined entertainment and education to teach kids that they can have a great time being healthy. We expect this program to change the way obesity prevention is taught to children not only in Central Florida, but across the nation."

Fit combines the latest scientific and behavioral research with its practical application, teaching children four major factors of healthy living: food, move, mood and recharge. With one out of every three kids in Central Florida being overweight or obese, the Healthy 100 Kids program will be using these factors to bring its program to life and help create a healthier community.

"The Healthy 100 Kids program is taking a big step forward in developing new ways for communities all across the country to get healthy," said Dr. Hansa Bhargava, medical director of fit. "Florida Hospital has also developed a truly innovative way to bring the fit program to life. It is our hope that what is done here in Orlando can also be done across the country. Fit is all about building healthy communities and giving everyone the tools to live an obesity-free lifestyle."

Through a unique partnership with Memorial HealthWorks! Kids' Museum of South Bend, Indiana, Florida Hospital's Healthy 100 Kids' highly trained "Mission: Fit Possible" team, will travel to schools and other organizations to teach children how to transform high sugar and sodium diets, sedentary lifestyle, lack of sleep and negative cultural influences into a positive, healthy lifestyle. Beginning in January 2012, these "Edutainers" will teach children how to "crack the code" on health with interactive performances that get kids laughing, cheering, learning and even grossed out. The program will work with 13,000 kids throughout Central Florida in its first year.

"When children have fun learning about being healthy, they are more likely to retain those messages. They go home and get their family excited about what they learned," said Cindy Moon, Head of School at Park Maitland School. "We have been on this journey with Florida Hospital and this added program will only enhance our efforts to make sure we have healthy students. We're excited to participate in this program and see the difference it will make at our school."

To celebrate the launch of the fit program with Healthy 100 Kids, City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer named October 25, 2011 as Fit Day in the City of Orlando to support the movement to get kids and their families healthier.

"As a father of two, I know how hard it can be to make sure kids get enough exercise and eat the right things," said Dyer. "But now that the Healthy 100 Kids program will be going out into the community and teaching kids about health and wellness in a way that they will understand, I truly believe we are giving these children a better chance at a healthier future and a healthier Central Florida."

Florida Hospital for Children developed Healthy 100 Kids, a comprehensive pediatric wellness initiative, with the goal of giving kids the best chance of living to a healthy 100 years of age. It approaches each aspect of physical and mental wellbeing, not only for children and teens, but also for the family unit when household support is needed to affect change. Healthy 100 Kids has already helped more than 500 families with overweight or obese children develop healthier habits. The program is expanding to offer a variety of prevention tools and programs to the Central Florida community.

For media inquiries, contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.

 www.floridahospitalnews.com

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