Community Impact
Health and WellnessThe United Way has three focus areas and Health & Wellness is one of those areas. In 2006, a coalition was formed to promote and enhance a healthy lifestyle in Huntington County. The coalition is made up of representatives from Parkview Huntington Hospital, Huntington County Community School Corporation, Huntington University, Boys and Girls Club, Purdue University Extension Office, Parkview Huntington Family YMCA, and the United Way of Huntington County.
Huntington County Health & Wellness developed a curriculum for both nutrition and youth physical fitness. Purdue University Extension offers the nutrition education; Parkview Huntington YMCA, physical fitness. Programs utilizing the curriculum are Andrews Elementary ACES, 3rd Grade Swim/Wellness, 4th Grade Health Fair, Boys & Girls Club, and Cooking with Love. Youth learn the value of nutritional choices, understand and eat healthy food portions, how to read food labels, and prepare a healthy snack. They also learn about the value of daily exercise by participating in muscular strength and endurance, aerobic activities, walking, and running exercises.
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Local Focus: Community Fitness, Nutrition and Overall Wellness
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Strategies
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· Support community members to pursue healthy lifestyles.
· Provide opportunities for youth and adults to practice good nutrition and engage in physical fitness activities.
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Desired Impact
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· A greater percentage of the community will develop the necessary life skills needed to improve overall health.
· More youth and adults will understand the benefits of exercise.
· More families will make better, healthy choices.
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Strategies Expanded:
- Support community members to pursue healthy lifestyles.
A lifestyle choice affects all aspects of a person. The avenues that are important to holistic health include physical, emotional, mental & spiritual. Each plays a part in creating and maintaining a healthy human being. The United Way partners with those who are educating community members on how to become a healthier you.
- Provide opportunities for youth and adults to practice good nutrition and engage in physical wellness.
“You are what you eat,” so the saying goes. More than that, nutrition must be accompanied by physical activity to further a healthy lifestyle. Opportunities in our community that offer these important steps are furthering the community’s focus of health & wellness.
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