Program helps Green Bay-area kids get healthy Inside & Out

The rain didn't stop dozens of Green Bay-area kids from having a rocking good time Wednesday at Colburn Park.

Local parks and recreation departments teamed up for the first Green Bay Area Healthy Youth Inside & Out Extravaganza. The health initiative is designed to promote healthy habits in children.

"Everything we're doing today is all about kids being healthy," said James Andersen, recreation supervisor for the city of Green Bay Parks and Recreation Department. "We want kids to understand that's it's fun to get outside in a park and be active."

For about three hours, children participated in a variety of lively activities leading up to the Jump with Jill nutrition rock concert. There were group games, kickboxing and dance lessons, and tours through Bellin Health's oversized inflatable heart. Children could enter the heart to see its parts and learn how to keep it healthy.

"This leaves a vivid memory rather than just telling people what to do," said Kelly Galler, a nurse practitioner who gave the heart tours. "We want people to know to keep their heart healthy, keep the body healthy and know the basic concepts of what the heart does."

The event also sponsored lunch for the children: an assortment of healthy foods that included a sandwich, fruit, a cookie, milk and a yogurt parfait.

"Kids always love field trips, and no matter what, they want to go," said Green Bay park worker Kendall Ross. "But to bring them to something like this that will enhance their healthy eating habits, it's pretty cool."

Zumba and kickboxing lessons seemed to be a hit among the children as they waited for the concert to start.

"We are here being healthy," said 12-year-old Tatyiana Cooper. "It's been really fun."

At 3 p.m., the stage was taken over by the main event. Jill Jayne is a nationally recognized registered dietitian and musician who strives to make being healthy hip and fun. A native of Pittsburgh, Jayne tours the country under the name Rockstar Nutritionist to promote healthy lifestyles. Through her performances, she teaches children about healthy eating habits, exercising, and overall ways of keeping bodies in shape.

"Today we are gonna talk and rock about how to take care of our bodies," said Jayne. "I'm not just a registered dietitian, I'm a musician. So, I know how to get down."

For a little more than an hour, Jayne motivated the children to take their health more seriously. She stressed the importance of eating fruits and vegetables instead of junk food.

(Edited from the 7/28/11 Green Bay Press-Gazette article by Kelcie C. McCrae)

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