Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout5Health and Wellness Programs 01-29-2010 (2) 1 SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING DATE: January 29, 2010 AGENDA ITEM: DEPARTMENT: Recreation & Facilities CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson PREPARED BY: Michael Taylor, Recreation & Facilities Director DIRECTOR: Michael Taylor SUBJECT: Options for City-wide Health and Wellness Programs. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Review report and provide direction for City-wide Health and Wellness programs. REPORT SUMMARY: The values of good health and wellness have been extolled to the American public for years. The paths to good health include exercising, good nutrition and reducing stress levels. Despite all the encouragement for Americans to become more active and eat well, the statistics show that people are not acting on that information. It is estimated that 250,000 people die in our country every year because of inactivity, and the evidence is continually more convincing. Inactivity is second only to smoking, which causes 400,000 preventable deaths in the United States annually—more than auto accidents, breast cancer, colon cancer, and alcohol combined (The Health Gazette). Providing activity through recreation experiences is what most agencies do best. As our communities become more concerned with their activity levels and health, recreation programs must be the first thing to pop into resident’s minds as the thing to fulfill their health and wellness needs. Park and recreation agencies have a multitude of facilities, trails, sports fields, playgrounds, and pools that can promote healthy alternatives to television viewing, computer games and reading. Local park and recreation agencies are well-positioned to take the lead in facilitating programs and facilities to address this national health priority as front line providers. The amount of statistics verifying the need for Californians to eat healthier and become more active is staggering. There is no doubt that much work is needed to help individuals and families fight obesity and lead healthier lives. What is in question is how park and recreation agencies fit into the equation. 2 DISCUSSION: The Saratoga Recreation Department offers ongoing Health and Wellness programs for all ages. In the winter session, such activities included: • LOSE to WIN!!! (NEW) from 7:00-8:00 am. Just like “The Biggest Loser” this comprehensive program is designed and intended to generate RESULTS from workouts & provide nutrition information, • Jacki’s Strong Step from 5:00-6:00 pm on Mondays, • Jazzercise (NEW time) from 6:00-7:00 pm on Mondays & Wednesdays (ongoing out at the Saratoga Prospect Center), • Gymnastics classes on Wednesdays, • Just 4 Kicks soccer on Thursdays, • Junior Rock Climbing on Thursdays and/or Fridays, • Karate classes Mondays through Thursdays, • Lunch hour 4EverFit, • Dance classes, • Ice Skating on Thursdays, • Basketball, • Integrated Whole Body Workout from 6:30-7:30 pm Mondays and/or Wednesdays • Lunchtime Yoga (Now on MONDAYS) with new teacher Catherine Killion. • Advanced Beginning Yoga Thursdays or Beginning Yoga on Tuesdays at the Saratoga Prospect Center. • Mat Pilates Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 7:45-8:45 am. • Tennis or Golf on Saturdays! The California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) began gathering information on park and recreation agencies that were promoting health and wellness in their communities. Many agencies reviewed the food options that were offered in snack bars, vending machines, and were provided to participants during programs. A majority of agencies began to offer more nutritious alternatives. Some agencies eliminated all unhealthy offerings. Park and recreation personnel were also encouraged to bring healthier foods to work to provide better role modeling. Another common model among agencies was a new policy to require mandatory physical activity time at all programs. San Leandro requires a minimum of 45 minutes of active physical activity for each 1/2 day program and a minimum of 75 minutes for full day programs. San Carlos incorporated “Dance Breaks” at the Youth Center where participants and staff stop what they are doing and dances. Many other agencies require a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Agencies have also changed their activity and program guides to include covers showing actively engaged participants, letters from directors about the importance of healthy activity and how parks and recreation is a major component of a healthy lifestyle, symbols (often hearts) to indicate classes that offer a fitness component and health and wellness messages incorporated throughout the guides. Lastly many agencies partnered with local hospitals to provide educational classes on nutrition and healthy alternatives for staff, program participants, and parents. Many other partnerships were formed with school districts, chamber of commerce’s, health and wellness groups, 3 coalitions, and collaboratives. The following is a very small sampling of what some agencies have accomplished: San Leandro Recreation and Human Services: Produced a four-hour training of the trainers on an 8 week nutrition, exercise and body image curriculum that will be given by the summer camp leaders at the sites. Also provided a two hour ACTIVE games training. Each playground site serves water & plenty will be made available. Each child has a water bottle with their name on it that they can keep at the site and use all day and extras are available in case they are lost. City of Tulare Adopted City of Tulare Pedestrian and Bicycle Trail Master Plan which increases multi-use trail systems from 13 to 110 miles. Completed 5-mile Tulare Santa Fe Trail which incorporates an equestrian trail. City of San Carlos San Carlos’ mission message: Health and wellness and combating obesity is a community issue. We can provide resources, including speakers, a vending machine list of healthy snacks and beverages as well as fitness, nutrition and wellness fact sheets. We have trails, bike paths, fields, gyms, playgrounds, community buildings, programs, and services that encourage everyone to be active. Contact us to be your Health and Wellness partner. Hosted a booth in the “Look Good, Feel Good” Wellness Business Showcase sponsored by the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce; purchased and distributed give-away items, including: • Wellness Bookmarks; • “51 Ways to exercise” display cards; • “101 Family Fitness Activities” Bookmarks; • Hacky sacks; • Guide to Healthier fast foods; • Healthy Snacking for Busy People; • Calorie & Fat Counter; • Eating Right for Busy People; • Fast Food Nutrition Guide; • Nutrition Tips for Teens; • 80 Healthy Snacks; • Parents Guide to Childhood Obesity • Summer camp giveaways (Frisbees, pedometer, beach balls, etc.) Created and distributed a series of twenty media releases, one distributed each week (ie “take action for a healthier San Carlos,” “Battling boredom in your workout,” “Gym class has a whole new look,” “Address obesity at an early age”), highlighting local and national health statistics, wellness opportunities in San Carlos (including programs, services and facilities) and exercise benefits. Each media release positioned San Carlos Parks and Recreation as the health and wellness leader in the community. Developed “Health & Wellness through Basketball” as a new drop-in style fitness program for high school youth and designed to help teens develop lifelong fitness habits. The program includes strength training, cardiovascular workouts, and basketball. 4 Fresh fruit is solicited, via donation, throughout the community. When the fruit is available it is provided to the Youth Center participants at no cost. A fun and educational healthy snack cookbook has been created by program participants, titled “This is How We’re Cookin’ in the YC!” Chapters include, What do these numbers mean?, Keepin’ it Safe in the Kitchen, Cookin’ Terms, Blender Blasts, Fabulous Fruits, Snack Attack, Micro Magic and more! Cookbooks are $12.00 each and are available at the Youth Center or on the City’s website. City of Downey The ASPIRE after school program developed a Health and Fitness curriculum in September 2004. The curriculum introduces a new fitness component each month through fun and unique games and challenges, such as a “Walk Across America”, where students track their collective walking distances and learn about different cities across the United States. The curriculum also teaches the children about healthy eating and introduces them to how to read food labels and make healthy food choices. The program provides evening events for the entire family where health and wellness activities such as family exercise, healthy cooking, and more are introduced. City of Tracy Created “My Own Marathon” which encourages folks to get out and walk/run a marathon, one ¼ mile at a time. Participants have 4 months to complete it and are encouraged to do it together with family and friends. Developed a calendar in which each day lists something to do, or a place to go, for citizens to develop “Healthy Habits” (coincided with July is Parks and Recreation Month). Local doctors write “prescriptions” for folks to participate in “My Own Marathon.” City of Sacramento Program staff is trained on how to write program descriptions capturing basic health and wellness statistics and the benefits of how participation in a particular program or activity can help fight obesity. The “Get Fit” campaign was launched in the Summer Publications and continues into the Fall and Spring. “Get Fit” states “our society is experiencing an obesity crisis at all age levels. The Department of Parks and Recreation offers a wide variety of opportunities to help you manage your weight and keep fit. Look for this symbol (heart) as your guide to individual and family wellness.” Partnered with FEED to provide a farmer’s market in Del Paso Heights using local growers. LA’s Best BEST Fit initiative brings together many partners including: the Healthy Children, Healthy Futures program; the Preventive Medicine Institute Strang Cancer Prevention Center; Cancer Prevention Nutrition Section (CPNS) – Nutrition Network; 5-A-Day Power Play; Western The BEST Fit initiative embodies the commitment of LA’s BEST to the physical health of children in Los Angeles elementary schools. This initiative is a comprehensive after school strategy to promote children’s health and fitness. The core of BEST Fit is the Healthy Children Healthy Futures (HCHF) program for children and parents. Each focuses on promoting children’s health through the development of the “8 Habits of Healthy Kids.” The Habits address snack food choices, drinking water, fast food, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, television viewing, and portion size. 5 Grower’s Association; National Academy of Sports and Physical Education; American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; KidTribe programs; Dairy Council of California; KABC 7 Healthy Steps program; LA Collaborative for Healthy Active Children; and Project LEAN. Strang Cancer Prevention Center and Cancer Prevention Nutrition Section (CPNS) – Nutrition Network City of Coronado Hosts after school activities at the local elementary and middle schools that promote physical activities. They also have a partnership with the local middle school so that daily active games, sports, and contests are held during the student’s lunch time recess. City of Escondido Incorporating articles on healthy living and recreation in city Newsletters and other media pieces. City of Lakewood The after-school and school vacation programs have an emphasis on physical activity through outdoor games and sports leagues. Cooking programs are offered and teach children how to make healthy snacks on their own at home. In addition to these programs, a family fitness series is offered three times a year. The program objective is to teach parents and their children how they can work together to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. City of San Ramon In July, to celebrate National Parks & Recreation Month, they launched Step It Up. With sponsorship money from San Ramon Regional Medical Center and Club Sport they purchased and distributed 350 pedometers to people who live and work in San Ramon. In exchange for this free gift people were asked to track their steps for the entire month of July. They also distributed information on walking 10,000 steps for good health and additional health tips to inform and motivate them. Prizes were given at the second September City Council meeting for individuals who walked the most for the month in their age category, the most improved and the family that walked the most for the month. In total participants walked 16,739,849 steps or approximately 8,369 miles. The City of San Ramon Parks & Community Services Department launched a two-part campaign this spring to raise the awareness of obesity and health issues, and to promote living a healthy lifestyle. The campaign was called “Get Active! in San Ramon”. In the spring quarter a photo scavenger hunt challenged residents and families to discover the many different (and some new) parks that are available to them. Participating families visited 5 different parks and submitted photos of themselves being active. Prizes were awarded and all the participants were honored at the Parks & Community Services Commission meeting Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council (SASCC) SASCC sponsors a city-wide health fair each year that includes blood pressure checks, hearing and vision screening, information booths, flu shots, etc. Anti-Smoking Campaign The City of Saratoga Municipal Code Article 7-35 (Regulation of smoking in certain places) prohibits smoking in interior restaurant spaces, elevators, health care facilities, public meeting rooms, public lobbies and hallways, theaters and auditoriums, museums, libraries and galleries, 6 hotel and motel lobbies, public restrooms, business establishments, and designated non- smoking areas. According to State AB 846, public buildings should be posted with signs (within 5 feet of the main entrance) stating “No Smoking within 20 Feet of Building.” Staff is currently installing such signs in all City buildings and the Library. As legislated in California Health and Safety Code Section 104495, no smoking is allowed within 25 feet of a playground, tot lot or sand box in California. There is a fine of $250 per violation. RECOMMENDATION: Consider adopting more stringent non-smoking ordinance and promote healthy lifestyles for Saratoga residents. FISCAL IMPACTS: Depend upon the actions approved by Council. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS: • Alternate A: Sponsor City-wide Health & Wellness programs. • Alternate B: Adopt stricter non-smoking ordinances. FOLLOW UP ACTION: Give direction to staff for policy and fees. Publish any changes to the policy and fees on the City website and make it available to the public. ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT: City Council meeting noticed on January 27, 2010. ATTACHMENTS: None.