Healthy living: Fair helps youth, families learn new ways to stay fit

By Jeremy Henderson, Army Flier Staff WriterApril 21, 2015

Healthy living: Fair helps youth, families learn new ways to stay fit
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FORT RUCKER, Ala. (April 21, 2015) -- Education is one key to unlocking the path to good overall fitness and an upcoming event aims to provide all the necessary tools for youth to begin their journey to healthy living.

The Fort Rucker Child, Youth and School Services program hosts a health and nutrition fair for its members April 22 from 2-4:30 p.m. at the youth center, Bldg. 2800.

Randy Tolison, Fort Rucker Youth Sports director, said the event aims to provide a solid foundation to foster good overall health and fitness for youth.

"This event allows young people to see what resources are available for making healthy choices," Tolison said. "The screenings and healthcare professionals present at the event also help them determine where they are health-wise."

The fair includes screenings for vision and hearing, blood pressure checks, and height and weight measurements. However, no documentation is required for the event.

"We don't require parents or youth to bring anything with them," Tolison said. "This is not a doctor's visit, but more an opportunity to become better educated. However, we do ask parents to review any forms their children may bring home from the screenings. The doctors write important information concerning the results of each screening."

Attendees may also speak to a registered dietician and nutritionist about making smart choices during meals.

"The dietician will speak to youth about determining proper portion sizes and portion control," Tolison said. "The nutritionist will educate them on the benefits of various fruits and vegetables, and ways to make smarter choices when filling their plate."

Representatives for physical therapy, dental clinic, preventive medicine, 4-H Club, community police, the Family Advocacy Program, and Fort Rucker's Fire and Emergency Services will also provide educational opportunities for attendees.

According to Tolison, the event aims to fight obesity with education.

"It is important for us to get this information out there," he said. "We have so many young people who are obese. It is becoming an epidemic in our society of obese adults and it stems from being an obese child.

"We want young people and parents to know these resources exist," he added. "The fair is geared toward educating the youth, but there could also be something there to benefit the parents. We simply want to do all we can to make the information available."

For more information, call 255-0950 or 255-2254.

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Fort Rucker, Ala.

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