The Best Bones Forever! Program run by Laurie Mozian, the project coordinator for the Community Heart Health Coalition for Ulster County is for girls ages 9 to 14 and a parent or caregiver. The program’s goal is to educate both parents and their daughters about the importance of calcium, Vitamin D and bone-strengthening activities in their lifestyles.

 

Inspired by the exercise part of the program, parent Burnelle Roser, mother of 9-year-old Adrianna, said that one parent was even moved to get the ice skating program re-opened in the Town of Olive. Roser said that it is good for parents to be informed about the kinds of activities that their children do in physical education classes at school, as well as food choices that kids have in school cafeterias. Schools and doctors can work in tandem with parents and community education programs like BodyWorks to help kids develop healthy eating and exercise habits.

 

One part of the program was setting measurable and attainable goals about lifestyle changes. For example, one parent set a goal of drinking more water, while other girls and parents set goals of getting more exercise and incorporating more calcium-rich foods into their diets. Each week, the participants checked in and reported how they were doing on those goals.

 

Parents learned that they are the role models for their children in healthy living. “Very much of this BodyWorks program is based on the fact that girls want their parents to role model for them,” Mozian said. “That’s the reason parents are involved in this.” Schwartz points out that change has to happen at home, with support. When children see that their parents value a healthy diet and exercise, they’ll learn that value, too.

 

Another BodyWorks program began in January in Kingston, and it will be offered again in March in the Hyde Park School District. For details, contact Laurie Mozian at 845-338-2500, x4061.

 

Freelance writer Joanne McFadden enjoys exercise and healthy eating in Charlton, NY.

 

For more information on the Best Bones Forever! program click here.