I had an absolute blast with my 4 sons yesterday doing something healthy, fun and educational with them.
Stop & Shop hosted a “Healthy Kids Summit” yesterday at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. with help from local Rhode Island community experts including PawSox infielder Tony Thomas, the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket, Dr. Marjorie Nasin, Director of Clinical Pediatrics & Pediatric Education at Memorial Hospital of R.I., and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. This incredible Healthy Kids Summit was perfect for my 4 sons because it inspired and educated them as to the issue of childhood obesity and how the community can come together to ensure kids lead healthy lives through staying fit, healthy eating habits and balanced lifestyles.
When we were driving home I said to them, “What was the best tip you learned?”
They all said, “5-2-1!”
I loved it because I knew what they were talking about… they learned they should 5 fruits/veggies a day, 2 hours of games/TV per day and 1 hour of physical activity!
It was wonderful having key people in our community come out to teach our youth. “As a grocery chain with close ties to New England, Stop & Shop is committed to fighting childhood obesity by encouraging small, simple changes in fitness and eating habits that make a big impact,” said Julie Menounos, nutritionist for Stop & Shop New England Division. “Today’s Healthy Kids Summit provided relevant information on nutrition; exercise and balanced lifestyles that will help families make better decisions. We’re thankful for our dedicated panelists and partners that help make these fun, inspirational and educational summits a possibility.”
It’s important for kids to learn healthy eating habits and how to maintain physical activity into their lives. Recent studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have exposed concerning statistics around childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years, and the prevalence among children ages 6 to 11 years has increased from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 19.6 percent today. In the state of Rhode Island, less than half (42 percent) of youths in grades K-7 are meeting current physical activity recommendations, according to the state’s Department of Health. Through its Healthy Kids Summits, Stop & Shop aims to inspire children and families to eat healthy and increase physical activity levels while having fun in the process.
The Healthy Kids Summit, was emceed by local NBC WJAR’s Alison Bologna, included a panel discussion led by community leaders and experts discussing their advice and perspectives on how the community can come together to keep kids healthy.
The panel included:
Tony Thomas, Pawtucket Red Sox Infielder
Dr. Marjorie Nasin, Director of Clinical Pediatrics & Pediatric Education at Memorial Hospital of RI
Nicollette Russell, Teen Member, Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket
Andrew Schiff, CEO of the RI Community Food Bank
Julie Menounos, MS, RD, LD-N, in-store nutritionist at the Stop & Shop Chelmsford, Mass. store, who moderated the panel
My sons LOVED meeting Tony Thomas!
It was cool to then take the field at McCoy Stadium to do a lap of it and then do some fun obstacle games!
And not to mention… my sons are HUGE sports fans and being on the FIELD at McCoy Stadium was awesome to them!!!
It was a great day had by all!
