Be a part of Family Wellness Walks

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, childhood obesity has tripled in the past 30 years. In 2008, about 19.6 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 19 were obese.    

To combat that trend, the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) awarded ten grants to PTAs across the nation—including the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Council of PTAs—to implement wellness initiatives.

The CH-UH wellness initiative intends to address childhood obesity, and increase health and wellness awareness in the community by providing engaging activities that encourage consistent family fitness.

The wellness initiative kicked off with a community-wide Wellness Challenge in November. The CH-UH PTA continues the initiative, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, Leading Ladies, Inc., Richmond Towne Centre, and State Farm Insurance, with a monthly Saturday-morning Family Wellness Walk series, which began Feb. 25.

All families and children in the Heights community are invited to join in the Family Wellness Walks. No registration is required. Details of three upcoming events are as follows:

Saturday, March 24, 10:00 a.m. at Richmond Towne Centre. Family Walk with raffle and give-aways.

Saturday, April 28, 10:00 a.m. (location to be announced). Family Walk with raffle and give-aways.

Saturday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. at Cleveland Heights High School cafeteria.  Mother’s Day Walk. Participants are encouraged to wear red in support of combating childhood obesity. Donations accepted to benefit the American Heart Association.

Sabrina Humphries

Sabrina Humphries is a long-time teacher, CH-UH PTA council copresident, founder and executive director of Leading Ladies, Inc., gardner, wife and mother of four.

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Volume 5, Issue 3, Posted 5:00 PM, 02.29.2012