Peninsula Students Learn How Exercise As Right Fit

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Fourth grader Yovanni Lombera learned about the importance of avoiding sugar-filled beverages, the dangers of smoking and vaping, and that yoga is great for both fitness and relaxation.

“I’m really into being healthy,” the youngster said at last week's event at Red Morton Park in Redwood City. “I got a certificate for physical education at school. I liked the group exercises today.”

The 10-year-old student at Selby Lane Elementary School, joined more than 800 other Redwood City School District fourth graders attending the 19th annual Make Time for Fitness field trip at Red Morton Park in Redwood City.

A partnership between Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital and 13 community organizations, last week's event educates students about practicing a healthy lifestyle that emphasizes regular exercise and a nutritious diet.

“At this age, children begin to make their own decisions about their health—whether it’s what they eat and drink, whether to avoid tobacco products or how to burn off energy,” said Marie Violet, director of Health & Wellness at Sequoia Hospital. “Our goal for nearly 20 years with the Make Time for Fitness events is to help our local children make the healthiest choices possible and to adopt habits now that can lead to lifelong wellness.”

The interactive program featured five activity stations, many of which were led by local high school students:

· Drink Water First, teaching students to drink water rather than sweet beverages when they are thirsty.

· Friendship Fitness, with games focused on teamwork and anti-bullying messages.

· Fit Fun Yoga, a group yoga class demonstrating that movement and breathing is good for health and well-being.

· Healthy Breakfast, with information on the foods that help to start the day right.

· Tobacco-Free Me, highlighting some of the 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

More than 200 parents and community members volunteered at the event.

Make Time for Fitness at Red Morton Park is a collaboration between Sequoia Hospital and community organizations such as Redwood City School District, Sequoia Healthcare District, San Mateo County Tobacco Education Coalition, Sodexo Education; city of Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services, University of California Cooperative Extension; Sequoia Union High School District, Carlmont High School, Sequoia High School, Woodside High School, Safe Routes to School California, Redwood City 2020, Sequoia YMCA and the Dairy Council of California.