Fifth-graders at Kennedy Elementary, Manistee Catholic Central and Trinity are currently working towards a ‘trip’ to the Galapagos Islands as part of West Shore Medical Center’s 8-week Operation Fit Kids program. This is the fifth year of the program, which follows the hospital-sponsored Fit Kids assessments completed in the schools prior to the winter break.

“We all know how important it is to help children and youth eat healthy foods and get lots of physical activity,” says Dorothy Batzer, RN, the medical center’s Fit Kids program coordinator. “Research shows that good nutrition and physical activity contribute to improved academic performance, higher attendance rates, improved behavior   and ultimately lifelong health and well-being. Sound nutrition and physical activity help kids maintain a healthy weight, a critical consideration in the face of the alarming epidemic in childhood overweight and obesity.”

Batzer noted that “for successive years, our data from the Fit Kids assessments indicate that our county kids are not getting enough physical activity, and the majority are not eating the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetable and grains. Schools have many demands placed on them today and are challenged to find the time and resources to address student health needs. Kids spend about 6½ of their waking hours at school so one of the goals of this year’s 8-week program is to see if the level of physical activity during the school day could be increased.”

Fifth grade students and teachers and elementary school principals will be actively exercising in the classrooms every day as part of the program, and will track their activity and food choices on weekly log sheets. Each student will be given a pedometer to monitor their steps and movement. The tracked steps will be converted mathematically to the number of “flying miles” that are needed to get to the Galapagos Islands. Teachers and students will be instructed in weekly exercise routines and teachers will be provided with the routine ‘moves’ and music to do them with their students each day. Not only will kids be tracking their steps, they will also tell report on a daily basis what other physical activity they are doing, including the teacher’s use of the exercise routine. Additional resources for classroom physical activities and “brain breaks” will be provided for teachers to use in their classrooms.

“This year’s program is entitled ‘The Ultimate Wellness Challenge’ because each week, students will be required to complete a weekly challenge” much like the TV show, ‘The Amazing Race,’ Batzer explained. It will include friendly competitions between classroom teams, between different classes and schools. Teamwork and a focus on positively impacting larger social groups with the core messages regarding physical activity and healthy eating are emphasized. The Galapagos ‘tour’ and learning experience will be the highlight of the program in Week 8.

The 8-week Operation Fit Kids program was developed by West Shore Medical Center as part of a continuing initiative to encourage 5th graders   and those who support them   to make better food choices and move more. This interactive educational program challenges students, their families and schools to incorporate healthy food choices and physical activity into their daily lives. The lessons support current science, math, social studies and writing curriculums and standards.

Fifth graders at Kaleva Norman Dixon, Bear Lake and Onekama schools will participate in the program beginning in March.

“I think the kids are really excited about the program this year,” says Batzer. “I am always looking for ways to incorporate fun and educational activities into our program goals.”