Hospital Highlights - Sept. 24, 2009

Family health and fitness day

Thousands of adults and children Saturday will participate in the 13th annual family health and fitness day with events in a variety of venues from schools to community sites to churches and other locations.

Why is this important to us in Colfax, St. John, LaCrosse, Endicott and the other communities in and outside the hospital service area? It is an opportunity to bring kids and adults together and get everyone thinking about fitness and health.

Organized as a public/private partnership by the Health Information Resource Center, Family Health & Fitness Day USA was conceived, in part, as a response to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health. This landmark report made it clear that health benefits can be obtained from moderate physical activity on a regular basis. In addition, the report stated that the majority of Americans, and especially children 12 to 21, are not exercising nearly enough.

This year’s programs will include exercise demonstrations, health fairs, family walks, and more. Most programs involve family activities as well as education and information about health and fitness topics.

“We are now entering our 13th year as a national family health and fitness event,” says Pat Henze, FHFD director. “Our goals for Family Health and Fitness Day are to emphasize the importance and fun of regular physical activity and to encourage families of all ages to take advantage of the many health and fitness programs offered in communities.”

For more information log onto:

http://www.fitnessday.com/family.

Jon Davis,

administrator

Whitman Hospital &Medical Center