TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Learning healthy habits for life

ADVERTISEMENT

JAMIE PILARCZYK

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com

Published: July 1, 2009

HYDE PARK - There is no playground on Snow Circle in Hyde Park Village, but the women at BluePrint Event Group made a temporary one on a recent sunny Saturday afternoon.

Fit Kids Playground was a four-hour event targeting expectant parents and children up to age 10 for a day of fun exercise, healthy food sampling and education. More than 1,000 people attended.

"We are inspiring healthy habits for life," said Marisa Langford of BluePrint Event Group, which organized the June 13 event. "We want to let kids know that exercise can be fun."

Langford, a mother of two who is pregnant with a third child, is a sprint triathlete who makes an effort to keep her 3- and 4-year-olds away from television and involved in physical activity.

"The concept of health, fitness and wellness is a big topic right now," said Langford, who is hoping to expand the program within Hillsborough County and beyond.

More than 22 educational initiatives were represented, including Tampa General and St. Joseph's hospitals, More Health Inc. the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness.

"The most important message for our parents is to be aware that if the child is growing and gaining more weight than height, to talk with their pediatrician," said Karen Donato, coordinator for overweight and obesity research applications at the National Institutes of Health. The institute organizes the We Can! Initiative, which stands for Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition and is providing educational materials for Saturday's event.

"If you expose your child to healthy food over a time period, they may be more apt to try it," Donato said. "Don't give up, but don't force children to eat foods or be too restrictive. It's a matter of moderation and portion size."

Nutrition Alley provided healthy food samples from places like Greenwise Publix, Berryism Frozen Yogurt Cafe, Wholesome Tummies and Datz Deli.

"We are giving parents the resources to take home," Langford said. "Not everyone has the time it takes to research this stuff. If parents are given free info, it will make it more easily accessible at home and will be more easily implemented."

The Tampa Bay Wellness main stage had 20-minute interactive samples for parents and kids from Baby Loves Disco dancing, toddler yoga from Yogani Studios, Hula Hoop for Heart! from the American Heart Association, and Mom and Baby Fitness from Stroller Strides.

In cooperation with Fit Kids Playground, Langford said the group will collect new pajamas and books as part of The Great Sprout Tuck-In, a national effort to provide children with a good night's sleep.

Donations enter participants into a drawing to win a weekend at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach and will be accepted at Pottery Barn Kids in Hyde Park throug Aug. 1.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661. Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT