Lone Oak Elementary wins hospital Project Fit grant

Lone Oak Elementary is the third area school to win the hospital's Project Fit America grant, which funds a fitness program aimed at reducing childhood obesity.  

The $16,000 grant provides indoor and outdoor fitness equipment, teacher training and physical education curriculum support. (See the equipment.)

Paducah’s McNabb Elementary and Graves Central Elementary were awarded the program in 2007.      

The outdoor equipment, located behind the school, is free and open so the community may use it to get in shape.  

Cardiologist Patrick Withrow, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer at Western Baptist, said educating the community, including children, on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors is the hospital’s goal.

“Childhood obesity is on the rise, and Kentucky leads the nation in smoking,” said Dr. Withrow. “We are seeing hypertension and diabetes more in younger children, so we need to intervene early to educate children and their caregivers.”

Dr. Withrow said the elementary fitness program provides the perfect vehicle for exercise and nutrition education for children and their families.

Principal Dan Pope said the school is grateful for the opportunity to help improve the health of their students and families. (See kickoff celebration.)

“The health of our students is a priority, and Western Baptist Hospital has given us a tremendous tool to help produce healthy students and reduce student obesity,” he said. “Busy lifestyles often do not allow time for fitness, and Lone Oak Elementary is extremely excited about this opportunity given by Western Baptist Hospital and Project Fit America to educate students and parents on how to incorporate fitness into their busy lives.”

Project Fit America (PFA) is a national nonprofit charity that provides exemplary cardiovascular health and fitness programming to schools.  Its mission is to create new opportunities for kids to be active, fit and healthy by providing vital resources and support for physical education one schoolyard at a time. For more information, visit http://www.projectfitamerica.org.