FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- As childhood obesity continues to be a problem in the country, Fort Rucker is doing its part to take the fight against the problem to its source.
The Fort Rucker Child and Youth Services Sports and Fitness Program is hosting its annual health and nutrition fair April 6 from 4-7 p.m. at the youth football fields as a means to help promote healthy living, according to Randy Tolison, Fort Rucker Youth Sports director.
"We want to make sure parents and youth are aware of the many different healthy, therapeutic and safety programs that are offered here on Fort Rucker to them," he said. "This event allows young people to see what resources are available to them for making healthy choices throughout life."
Throughout the event, children will have the opportunity to get various health screenings, including vision and hearing screenings; blood pressure checks; height and weight measurements; and meet with a registered dietician, physical therapist, dental clinic representatives, preventive medicine representatives, a nutritionist and more.
Children will learn about proper dental health and how to practice good dental hygiene, as well as the importance of healthy eating habits, said the youth sports director.
The event will also feature games, music and healthy snacks, and also a way for parents to introduce their children to youth sports as Fort Rucker T-ball and baseball team players will be introduced at the event.
A pitch, hit and run event will also be held during this time for those who wish to participate.
During last year's event, Naomi Small, military spouse, attended the fair with her two children, David and Dillion, and said that teaching her children about the importance of healthy living was part of her responsibility as a parent.
"It's really hard to talk to your kids about being healthier because usually they're not going to listen to what you have to say," she said. "I think the fair really helps out a lot because there are people here that they're used to seeing and talking to, and their friends are here, too, so they might be more inclined to listen."
Small said that although she controls most of what her children eat, she wants to make sure they can make the right decisions for themselves when they get older, and the health fair was able to help in that aspect.
"I try not to be too strict on them with their diet and I expose them to every type of food, even junk food because I want them to know what options are out there," she said. "I make sure to let them know that [junk food] is not always the best option for them and too much of it isn't healthy. I just hope that they're able to take the lessons they learn here from actual professionals and take them to heart."
For more information, call 255-0950 or 255-2257.
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