WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE TO BE 100 YEARS OLD?

In 2001, 48,000 men and women celebrated their 100th birthday. How did they do it? Well, advances in medical care, new technologies and increased access to health care have added years to lives. But personal choices can also have a major impact on longevity and especially the quality of that life.

For instance, study after study has shown that the health-protective factors found in fruits and vegetables will lower the risk for chronic diseases. However, even though magazines and newspaper articles, health-care professionals, and many moms stress the need to "eat your vegetables," only 32 percent of Americans consume the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day (french fries don’t count).

The Ossining School District has recognized that it is important to teach our children how to make the proper choices for their health and wellness and has established a District Wellness Committee.

Utilizing the Westchester Department of Health’s FIT KIDS program, wellness information will be provided to all of the elementary and middle school children in the form of handouts, worksheets, school signage and special events/assemblies. Monthly wellness messages will address different aspects of nutrition, health and physical activity from January through June. Additional wellness events will occur earlier in the school year. We hope that you will encourage your children to share this information with you.

REMEMBER: Aging successfully depends on the choices we make in our lives far more than on the genes we inherit. If you're looking forward to reaching that 100th birthday, choose to maintain a healthy weight, do not smoke, remain physically active, and eat of a wide variety of healthy foods in appropriate portion sizes.

Check those backpacks for FIT KIDS information and learn to be healthy and fit with your children!