'Let's Get Moving' program promotes healthy children

HUNTINGTON -- Under an Indian summer sun, piles of kids bounced and jumped, kicked soccer balls, boxed, shot basketballs, snacked on carrots and hopefully left a little bit healthier.

Dozens of families came out for an educational day of play beside the Memorial Fountain at the Memorial Student Center at Marshall University on Sunday afternoon.

The day of healthy snacks and a field full of play was a kick-off party for the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine's new program called "Let's Get Moving," a community-based program promoting healthy elementary school children.

Families made their way around the jumbo inflatable playground, an obstacle course, jump rope games and face painting while music pumped up the fun of such exercise-filled games as "Dance Dance Revolution."

Kayleigh Dye, coordinator for the program, said the event was all about getting out the word about the exercise and nutrition program, which is enrolling children ages 7 to 12. It's conducted in partnership with Marshall University Pediatrics.

So far, 31 children are signed up, Dye said.

The program is for kids with a Body Mass Index in the 85th percentile for age and gender.

Kids in the program receive four free physician visits at University Pediatrics, grocery store tours and cooking classes, a year-long free membership to the YMCA, blood tests and discounted Y memberships for family members.

Dye said they're doing five "Let's Get Healthy" health fairs in area elementary schools this semester and will also do five in the spring to get kids plugged into the program and on a healthier track.

"Today is all about letting kids and parents know that exercise is fun and that eating healthy is good," said Dye, who was out dancing with the kids to "YMCA." "We want the community to know there are programs out there for students with these types of problems."

Jackie Ferguson, who lives between Barboursville and Lesage, said she brought three of her 10 grandchildren out to enjoy the day.

One of her grandkids is in the program, and she thinks all kids could benefit from following the "Let's Get Moving" mantra of plenty of exercise and good, healthy eating.

"I think it's a pretty good program," Ferguson said. "We live outside of Barboursville, and it was tough to come down to all the programs because of the gas prices, so I would like to see if extended to the rural areas more."

Ariel Thomas, 16, was at the event to let kids know about the wide range of youth sports available at the YMCA.

Thomas said the YMCA is a great place where kids can have a lot of fun and get their needed exercise through sport.

"I started playing soccer when I was 4, and I still play," Thomas said, "You can't really tell a kid to just go do laps, but if you say, 'Hey, let's go do a relay race,' they're more apt to do it."

For more info about "Let's Get Moving," call the program coordinator at 304-691-1599 or go online at http://musom.marshall.edu/getmoving.