FORT RUCKER, Ala. (April 30, 2015) -- In a nation where obesity rates are soaring, Fort Rucker is taking the fight to the front lines by stopping the problem before it starts.
The Fort Rucker Child, Youth and School Services held a youth health fair April 22 at the youth center to promote healthy living at an early age, and children and families came out in droves to kick start their healthy living habits, said Randy Tolison, Fort Rucker Youth Sports director.
"We wanted the health fair to be informative and educational," he said. "We wanted to make the parents and youth aware of the many different healthy, therapeutic and safety programs that are offered here on Fort Rucker. This event allows young people to see what resources are available to them for making healthy choices.
"Overall, the event was a great success," he continued. "I thought the vendors did a great job with the youth and parents. The parents and the youth were very pleased with the health fair, and we received some very positive feedback."
During the fair, children who signed up were able to have their measurements taken, such as their height, weight and blood pressure, as well as have their sight and hearing checked from professionals who work at Lyster Army Health Clinic.
Representatives from all over post who work in physical therapy, the dental clinic, preventative medicine, the Directorate of Public Safety and the family advocacy program were on hand to answer any questions that children or parents had.
Despite all the initiatives to promote healthy living and fitness, Tolison said it's still up to each individual to make sure he or she stays on the path to wellness.
"Today's youth are exposed to so many different lifestyle choices, so wanted to make them aware of the option of living a healthy lifestyle," he said. "Also, we wanted to inform them of the problems that are incurred if a healthy and fit lifestyle isn't part of their daily lives," adding that a little effort goes a long way.
Charlie Davis, military spouse, said she was glad to see such an effort by not only the youth center, but the installation as a whole to promote a healthy lifestyle.
"I just think it's great that these children are able to be exposed to things like this here on Fort Rucker," she said. "You don't normally think about getting checkups and watching what you eat at a young age because that's normally the time when people feel that they're free to do what they want. But getting a head start on learning healthy habits is always a good lesson in my book."
Gina Vaughan, CYSS nurse, was one of the professionals on hand to help promote health, and she said that getting a jump start early in life will help them maintain the habit throughout their later years.
"It's about raising awareness and showing the children what they can do to improve their health," she said. "Teach them healthy habits now so that they can go ahead and incorporate them in life.
One way the children can achieve this is through active living, she said, which is why she helped to provide different fitness activities for the children to participate in, such as jump roping, hula-hooping and even simulated kayaking where children were able to race each other.
"I just hope that my children learn something from this experience," said Davis, "even if it's just that they're more aware of what they put into their bodies. I'm just glad that they're learning about it."
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