Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition

Fit Kids B.I.T.E. Grant Awardee Reception

Pictured: back row: Ameyka Pittman (Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition), Margaret Black (Okmulgee), Paula Price (Norman), Stephanie McGinnis (Norman), Brandi McGehee (Boley), Ed Osborn (Okmulgee), front row: Carolyn Clifton (Okmulgee), Lydia Campbell (Okmulgee), Carolyn Pickard (Enid), Chrissy Teague (Okmulgee), and Lezlie Stacy (Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition).  Not pictured, Pryor and Pawhuska communities.

A special thank you to the National Association for Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) and Klein Buendel for making it possible for the Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition to be able to award six communities a "Balancing InTake and Expenditure" (B.I.T.E) Grant in July 2009. These grants were made available to community coalitions to plan and implement community based physical activity and nutrition programs.  The programs were designed to improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of overweight and obesity in their communities. 

The awarded communities were:
 
Healthy Community Coalition, Norman
OCCY Partnership Board, Boley
Mayes County H.O.P.E Coalition, Pryor
CDS Health Planning Committee, Enid
Okmulgee Wellness Coalition, Okmulgee
Osage County Community Partnership Board, Pawhuska

On September 24, 2010, we held a B.I.T.E. Grant Awardee Reception to celebrate the wonderful accomplishments these partners have made to improve quality of life and reduce obesity in their communities.  Below is a brief summary of the positive changes made in each community.

 

Healthy Community Coalition, Norman:

A local school was chosen for the “Wheel Fun Community Bicycle Ride” to encourage bike riding and educate adults and children about bike safety. The results of an initial survey of the neighborhood showed poor bike safety practices. Over 60 riders participated in the event, and police officers provided education on bike safety, helmet use education and other safety tips to cyclists. Those without helmets were given one. The police department, a local cycling group, and the local bus system provided a safe and very successful event.   The event is already being planned for next year.

Contact: Amber Cole - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

OCCY Partnership Board, Boley: 

Project Objectives and accomplishments:

1. Increase access to safe places for physical activities for the community. Sixty minutes of daily physical activity for youth and some adults were provided from November to May in the school gym before school/work.
2. Increase knowledge of healthy cooking with fruits and vegetables. Six hands-on cooking and tasting classes on how to cook healthier with more produce were taught by the OSU Extension.
3. Provide the WellSprings Summer Program youth with access to fresh produce and opportunities for regular physical activity with the CATCH program. The CATCH kids Club nutrition and physical activity Curriculum was implemented in the youth program. Youth did 45 minutes of physical activity 2 times per week (They logged 50 miles) running and walking; and once a week there had nutrition lessons, including snack preparation and taste-testing.
4. Youth in the summer program were provided with 3-4 daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables.
5. Continuing programs by WellSprings will offer extracurricular physical activities through the after-school program in Boley, as well as the CATCH Kids Club Curriculum of activity and nutrition. WellSprings plans to write policy so that the healthy practices in place will continue. The B.I.T.E. committee plans to continue the momentum built during this campaign.

Contact: Leslie Vick -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mayes County H.O.P.E. Coalition, Pryor:

The objectives of the program were to assess pre-school age children for fitness by providing a free program to encourage fitness habits early in their development and give parents the opportunity to contribute to that development. A simple assessment tool was created and used for the over 50 children who participated. The outcome showed that each child had marked improvements in physical development, and that they and their families want to continue to be physically active. A funding source was created in a mini triathlon hosted by the Pryor Creek Recreation Center. One doctor has begun referring children at risk for obesity to the program.

Contact: Shane Simpson - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CDSA Healthy Planning Committee, Enid:

Two primary projects resulted from the committee’s efforts: (1) “ Walk This Way”, a 6 week walking program begun in October at Meadowlake Park in partnership with “E lose it” and Enid Farmers Market providing healthy snack stations. The 600 participants competed for prizes by logging their walking minutes. They received healthy eating information ad reminders to walk through the local newspaper. (2)The BeFitkids Buzz Run, Health & Fitness Expo in May for 250 children. A video summary is available on line. Many of these children are continuing to log miles, and are planning on running the last mile or two at the Cherokee Strip Land Run in September. Each child who logs 25 hours will earn a special T-shirt. "

Contact: Carolyn Pickard - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Okmulgee Wellness Coalition, Okmulgee:

 “Spring Into Fitness Lunch on the Lawn” promoted the Spring Challenge Aquarium Run, to included basic fitness assessments, healthy cooking demonstrations, nutrition and fitness information. Over 100 people signed up to form teams for participation in activities. Activities during the spring included (1) TV Turn Off Week, (2) spring Walk to School Day, (3) Emphasis on fresh produce from the local Farmer’s Market and (4) a display of books and Native American original art that encourage children to eat right. All the events were successful and have led to further positive changes in the community.

Contact: Chrissy Teague - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Osage County Community Partnership Board, Pawhuska:

Several projects were conducted in this community. “Meals in a Jar” brought children and adults together to prepare a meal in a wide-mouth jar using various soup ingredients and nutritional information that was provided. This was very successful and will be repeated. A “Walkability Study” of the community was conducted, asking community residents to join walking clubs on trips to find out “How walkable is your community?” Pedometers were given to all participants. Two community groups partnered for a 5K “Run for the Health of It” at Lake Pawhuska. An “Afterschool Backpack Project” collaboration ensured that elementary school children were sent home with healthy foods on the weekends.

Contact: Gail Boe - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it