Department of Health

JUMP N2 Shape Hits the East Side

Earlier this summer, East Side Health District (ESHD) introduced JUMP N2 Shape to its community. The health district kicked off this endeavor with a fun activity in its F.R.E.S.H. Community Teaching Garden. Participants of all ages learned more about healthy lifestyles that incorporate fitness and healthy eating. Elizabeth Patton-Whiteside, the Public Health Administrator for ESHD, encouraged participants to be more physically active while Registered Dietitian Bhagya Kolli encouraged them to eat healthy. To reinforce those healthy messages, the district focused the day's activities on jumping rope and hula hooping to get participants moving.  Participants also toured the F.R.E.S.H. Community Teaching Garden and learned about gardening, another way to be physically active in addition to producing healthy food to eat.  Each participant learned how to create a container garden and planted tomato plants to take home. After all the activity, participants enjoyed healthy fruit and yogurt parfaits.  Selected participants received great attendance prizes too.

Obesity is a health issue that transcends county lines and state borders. JUMP N2 Shape is a regional movement to promote health and fitness. Initially designed to support the City of St. Louis Mayor's Sustainability Plan and reduce obesity in St. Louis City by 5% by 2018, this initiative has spread regionally. ESHD is just one regional partner; this movement also has the support of St. Louis County as well as numerous other agencies in Illinois and Missouri. Working cooperatively together, we can make a difference in the health of all residents in the greater St. Louis metro area and reduce obesity.