NEWPORT — According to the CDC, the percentage of children who are obese in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970s. Today, about one in five children ages 6–19 is obese.
In Vermont, about 30 percent of adolescents are overweight or obese and over 30 percent of toddlers ages 2-4 are overweight or obese.
“When we see these rising numbers in our state we can’t turn a blind eye,” said Mary Hoadley, Director of The Wellness Center. “We need to band together to try and increase the health of our younger population.”
The Wellness Center runs classes for prenatal moms, kids of all ages, and of course adults and seniors. In June, they make it their mission to try and break the barriers to health and wellness for kids by hosting a free “Kid’s Wellness Day.”
This Saturday morning, June 2, from 9 a.m. through 12:30 p.m., The Wellness Center will host its third annual FREE Kid’s Wellness Day.
This totally free event combines many fun activities with lots of options to try new ones, learn healthy habits, and play.
Their hope is that while participating in a safe and fun atmosphere they can help kids learn to enjoy all aspects of health and wellness.
“If kids love bouncing in a bounce house, but then go learn about healthy flossing and brushing with a free cool toothbrush, maybe they will correlate the fun and learning into better daily practices,” Hoadley said.
The event will offer free fitness classes to kids of all ages.
Helena Vachon will kick off the fitness classes with Kidz Danze at 9:15 a.m. If you have a child who loves dancing or music or both, you won’t want to miss this.
Following directly after will be an indoor kid’s obstacle course and fitness fun at 10:15 a.m.
Finally, Kripalu® certified yoga instructor Ali Thurston will lead a Family Yoga class for everyone to do together.
There is absolutely no experience required to take these classes, just come and have fun.
The fun will continue outside as well, where the Green Mountain Farm to School “Lunchbox” will be on site offering free healthy snacks, donated by The Wellness Center to the first 100 kids.
Under the big tent there will be a station to take selfies, get your face painted or a temporary tattoo, learn about staying smoke free, button making, a veggie planting station, craft making, a handwashing station with free hand sanitizer, a bounce house, a simulated fire extinguisher activity, and much more.
There really is something for everyone at this event.
The Kid’s Wellness Day is all about learning different ways to reach the youth and share healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
The hope of Kids Day is to present healthy lifestyle choices in a universal language every child understands…fun.
The Wellness Center is located at 1734 Crawford Farm Road, in Newport. For more info call 334-5566.
