Area Schools Are Stepping Up to Make Sure Kids Are Healthy 

DOH-Okaloosa Celebrates Every Kid Health Week

Contact: Ryan Mims

HealthyOkaloosaPIO@flhealth.gov

(850) 833-9240 ext. 2162

Cell: (850) 420-2198

Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) is celebrating April 24-28 as Every Kid Healthy Week (EKHW). EKHW is a campaign to ensure that every child is well nourished, physically active, healthy and ready to learn. Currently, 1 in 3 kids in Okaloosa County is considered overweight or obese. If the trend continues, this generation will be the first in our history to live shorter lives than their parents.

“Making sure kids learn the importance of health is vital to them having a long and healthy life,” stated Dr. Karen A. Chapman, Director of DOH-Okaloosa. “We are grateful to have school partners that promote and reinforce healthy eating, physical activity and nutrition education in order to increase student achievement.”

This year, the Okaloosa County schools that are participating in EKHW are:

• Destin Elementary School

• Edwins Elementary School

• Elliot Point Elementary School

• Florosa Elementary School

• Kenwood Elementary School

• Lewis School

• Longwood Elementary School

• Mary Esther Elementary School

• Plew Elementary School

• Riverside Elementary School

• Ruckel Middle School

• Shalimar Elementary School

• Walker Elementary School

During EKHW, participating schools are completing activities to make sure their students are healthy and active. Edwins Elementary is providing healthy cooking demonstrations using simple techniques to students, parents and special guests. Longwood Elementary and Riverside Elementary are promoting physical activity by hosting one-mile runs for students. 

Four of the participating schools received $100 grants from Action for Healthy Kids to assist with activities: Plew Elementary, Mary Esther Elementary, Edwins Elementary and Shalimar Elementary.

For more information about Every Kid Health Week, visit www.actionforhealthykids.org.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

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