In June of this year, I participated in the Florida Hospitals Gourmet Soiree of Central Florida. The Gourmet Soiree is hosted by the Florida Hospital for Children and has partnered with WebMD and Sanford Health to get local families involved in the national “FIT” initiative. I was fortunate enough to be invited for its inaugural year, however, being away the past two years, I was looking forward to giving back to the community and getting involved in a great cause! I was also anxious in catching up with my old friends and looking forward in making new ones!

Fueling Performance Athletes along with Chef Andy Williams is a huge supporter of this program and the wonderful individuals behind it. I look forward to the future in working with the Children’s Hospital and its “FIT” program to further educate on how proper fueling is important, no matter what age you are! The following information, from the Gourmet Soiree website, provides a more in-depth look into what “Fit” is all about and how it will affect the Central Florida Area in a very positive way.
Fit is an educational and health promotion initiative that is focused on promoting health and wellness and preventing childhood obesity among kids ages 2-18 and providing resources for parents, children and healthcare professionals.

WebMD, the leader in online health content, and Sanford Health, the nation’s largest rural, not-for-profit, health system, recently joined together to create the fit on-line resources aimed entertaining, educating and empowering kids and adults alike.

Orlando is the first community to launch fit, providing an opportunity for each of us — parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals — to join together to reduce childhood obesity. Let’s make Orlando’s children healthier and give each child the opportunity to live a long and healthy life.

Since 1980, the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents has almost tripled. Today, nearly 13 million children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 18 are obese. These children are more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, obese children have a greater risk of social and psychological problems and of becoming an obese adult.

FIT aims to help children and parents understand that an obesity-free life is more than healthy eating and physical activity; fit teaches whole-life wellness. Our approach is comprehensive and incorporates the standards of a healthy lifestyle through nutrition (FOOD) and exercise physical activity (MOVE) and then expands the total view of health to include emotional fitness (MOOD) and restorative fitness (RECHARGE).

Through fit, your child will attend a series brought right to their school, church or community center provided by Florida Hospital for Children. Kids will be taught by our “edutainers” in a fun and engaging way to learn healthy habits, and will even be quizzed and rewarded throughout the process to ensure growth. By the end of the program, we know your child will be more fit friendly and will bring home tools the whole family can use to stay fit.