During each health fair, medical students and staff provide various activity and education opportunities to a particular grade.  Let's Get Moving is conducting health fairs in 10 Cabell County 4th and 5th grades during the 2008-2009 school year. Additionally, we are visiting Hamlin Community School and Kellogg Elementary School.

Essay Contest:

Prior to each fair, instructions for an essay contest are provided to each student. This year, a physical fitness theme was used, and the children were asked to write about three things:

1. Why physical activity is important to maintain our health.
2. What eating healthy means - what foods are healthy and what foods aren't.
3. What they can do with their family to improve their exercise and dietary habits.
    

A boy and girl winner of the essay contest is chosen at each school and they each receive a new bicycle, helmet, and bicycle lock.  Second place finishers receive tennis racquets and a can of tennis balls.

Activity Stations:

Jump Rope Station - At jump rope, children learn tricks and participate in races and games.
Basketball Station  - At Basketball Station, children play several rounds of “shoot-out.”
Dance, Dance Revolution™(DDR) – At DDR™ children learn they can have fun playing a video game to stay physically fit.
Obstacle Course - The obstacle course involves hop-scotch, running, tumbling, and the “crazy bat spin.”  The boy and girl with the best timed run of the obstacle course are awarded a special prize at the end of the health fair, such as a volleyball set, a tennis set, or a Twister™ game.

Nutrition Station:

The nutrition station is coordinated by the Marshall University Department of Dietetics with Shortie McKinney, Ph.D. and Kelli Williams, Ph.D.  Children learn about making healthy food choices and play interactive food games to learn about the new “MyPyramid” food pyramid from the USDA.

Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) Station:

At the blood pressure and BMI station, each child’s blood pressure and BMI is measured and recorded.  This is done in a private room to ensure anonymity.  Upon completion of the fair, each child takes home a packet that includes his or her blood pressure and BMI information..  The packet contains information that explains the relationship between BMI and blood pressure, specific to each individual child’s measurements.  At the end of the fair, children receive a “Let’s Get Moving!” water bottle and jump rope.  In addition, we include national guidelines for children’s exercise and nutrition, as well as nutrition information from local fast food restaurants. 

Follow-up:

While it is important to recognize children with abnormal blood pressures and BMI readings, it is crucial to conduct follow-up. If a child’s BMI or blood pressure is considered abnormal for his or her age, a red “Evaluation” sticker is placed on the blood pressure and BMI sheet.  These packets contain information regarding the “Let’s Get Moving!” Intervention – an opportunity for children with a BMI >85th percentile to enroll in a comprehensive program.  Children in this intervention receive a free 1-year membership to the Huntington High Youth Building at the YMCA.  Family members of participating children receive a 15% membership discount to this building, as well.  Children enrolled in the intervention have 2 blood draws to assess for high cholesterol, diabetes, and liver disease.  Children receive 4 free visits at University Physicians & Surgeons (UP&S) pediatrics.  Participating children and their families are provided with nutrition education in the form of cooking classes, guided grocery store tours, and during the physician visits.  The intervention is at no cost to the family.  We believe our strongest ally against childhood overweight is educating both children and parents. Together, we can make a difference.