Sutter Helps Kids Get Fit     09-19-2007

Third-graders at Penryn Elementary school are some of the many students in Sacramento and Placer Counties who are obtaining new-found fitness and healthy living skills at school. Penryn Elementary is one of nine area schools to benefit from Sutter Health and Project Fit America.

Project Fit America is a program designed to promote healthy living and fitness in the nation’s youth. With Sutter Health’s support, Project Fit has implemented creative, fun health and fitness programs in several Sacramento, Roseville and Auburn-area schools. Sutter Health provided over $165,000 to purchase the necessary playground equipment and play gear for the kids to use as they perform the Project Fit exercises and drills.

Penryn Elementary school features an outdoor sit-up bench, step-ups for aerobics, a horizontal ladder, parallel bars, pull-up bars, a vault bar and climbing pole. All are designed to improve upper and lower body strength and endurance.

"The kids like the variety of exercises and equipment that is available," said Heidi Hayes, teacher, third grade, Penryn Elementary School. "This program allows every child to improve at their own level."

Indoor activities include paddle ball and jump rope contests, a hubba-hubba challenge with hoola hoops and exercises including sit ups, push ups and jumping jacks.

The Government estimates 6 million American children are now overweight enough to endanger their health. Ten years ago, the medical community found that type-2 diabetes did not occur until after 40 years of age; now it is regularly found in pediatric patients.

"Physical education and fitness related activities continue to be cut and/or poorly funded, at a time when childhood obesity and related illnesses are at epidemic levels," says PFA’s Executive Director, Stacey Cook. "Our children’s health is too important to sit idly by, which is why we applaud Sutter Health for taking this leadership role to bring programming to Sacramento and Placer counties."

Hospitals and healthcare providers have been the primary sponsors of the program, contributing over $6 million dollars. Schools are selected via a local grant program in the sponsors’ service areas. PFA is now operating in more than 500 schools in over 250 cities in 42 states.

"We know that by promoting healthy habits with our youth, we can make a lifelong difference in the health of our communities," said Sutter Roseville Medical Center chief executive officer, Pat Brady. "Sutter is proud to support Project Fit American in their efforts to promote physical fitness in our schools."

"Project Fit has opened a variety of new ways for kids to exercise,” said Hayes. "They are eager to participate in the program."

Formed in 1990, Project Fit America is a nonprofit organization that donates all inclusive fitness programs to schools creating new opportunities for children to be active, fit and healthy as part of the everyday school experience. Programming includes state-of-the-art outdoor fitness equipment that is specifically designed to address the deficit areas where children fail fitness tests. A dynamic curriculum with fitness games and challenges the kids play on the PFA equipment, indoor mobile fitness equipment with programming and in class instruction on subjects such as smoking intervention, nutrition and understanding your body. PFA also provides support to the school for two-years with training on site.