County Executives Organize Health Fair for Monarch Students
/
See photo gallery of more images
They kicked soccer balls, threw footballs, hoola hoopped, and balanced themselves on indo boards. They learned how to plant vegetables and tried to name common and unusual vegetables.
Most importantly, the students from Monarch, a school for homeless children, learned about the importance of healthy eating and exercising during a health fair organized specifically for them outside the County Administration Center.
“These are kids who really need to eat properly,” said Helen Robbins-Meyer, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, who was joined by Chief Administrative Officer, Walt Ekard, other County executives. “Any information you provide on how to live well and eat nutritiously will help end the cycle of homelessness.”
During the two-hour health fair, about 140 students in grades K-12 arrived in groups, collected a bag, and visited the many tables where they learned about staying active and how important it is to eat fruits and vegetables.
According to recent studies about one third of 5th, 7th, and 9th graders in the region are overweight or obese. Children who are overweight are more likely to be obese and unhealthy when they grow up.
Furthermore, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and smoking are three behaviors that contribute to the four chronic diseases—heart disease, type 2 diabetes, lung disease and cancer— that are responsible for more than 50 percent of deaths in San Diego County.
The County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has been working with community partners to prevent chronic disease and childhood obesity. The Live Well, San Diego! initiative is a 10-year plan to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in the region.
At the health fair, while some students collected healthy snacks or played with County executives in the many recreation areas. If they stopped by each table and recreation area, they collected stickers and treats.
“These are kids who live in cars or shelters and oftentimes don’t have access to healthy foods,” said Richard Haas, Operations Team Leader at Monarch School, adding that school staff have been instructed to provide healthy snacks to students. “This is an opportunity to make sure they make healthy choices.”