MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Semper Fit Health Promotions hosted its 2009 Health and Fitness Expo at the Ironworks gym here Feb. 28.
The event showcased a variety of health and fitness programs available for the community.
“We’re doing this to increase people’s awareness,” said Alma S. Dickinson, health promotions director. “It’s a chance for people to see what they’re doing right, what they’re doing wrong, and how they can do better.”
The expo featured demonstrations from Semper Fit’s group fitness programs, information booths and a special section dedicated to teaching children healthful eating habits.
“It’s important for kids to learn early on what kind of foods they should eat and what kind of foods they should avoid,” said Darci J. Kruse, health promotions secretary. “It’s the habits they pick up early on that set the stage for their eating habits later in life.”
The children were given bananas, pretzels, raisins, cheerios, chocolate chips, and peanut butter and shown how to make a “banana bug.”
The “banana bug” is a good example of the type of snack kids should eat, said Kruse. Not only is it fun for them to make, but eating a banana bug is far healthier than eating a Twinkie, candy bar or bag of chips.
The expo also geared itself toward educating adults on how to maintain a healthful lifestyle.
Personnel from the Robert M. Casey Branch Health Clinic were at the event to perform cholesterol exams on members of the community who were interested in learning their current health status.
“High blood pressure and cholesterol are silent killers,” said Lt. Molly P. Hurda, a nurse here. “If you know what your numbers are early on, you can start making changes to your lifestyle before it becomes too late.”
Community members lined up to get their cholesterol exams and their results were handed to them within minutes.
“The exams offered here at the expo gave community members a good indication of whether or not they should make an appointment with us to get a fasting lipid panel for more accurate results,” said Hurda.
For community members such as Tony R. Murchison, his results were sobering enough to prompt his making an immediate appointment the following week with the Branch Health Clinic to get a more accurate reading.
“The numbers they told me were a real slap in the face,” he said. “I attribute them to my most recent eating habits and how I rarely eat breakfast before starting my day.”
In addition to cholesterol exams, body fat assessments were administered by health promotions staff.
After performing the exams, explanations were given on how to maintain or improve body fat results.
Group fitness instructors demonstrated some of the more recent additions to the fitness classes available at the Ironworks gym.
These classes include Zumba or Latin dance cardio, cardio kickboxing, “step it up,” bale, Yoga and Bosu battle.
“They are free to all community members and are a great way for people to get fit and healthy,” said Jeramie O. Johnson, Semper Fit fitness coordinator.
Those who missed the expo and are interested in learning more about the available classes may call 253-5051. Schedules are also available at the Ironworks gym or can be accessed on www.mccsiwakuni.com