天美传媒

by Cecil Harris

The percentage of American children who are overweight or obese has reached epidemic proportions, and such popular pastimes as TV watching and Internet browsing have made youngsters more sedentary than ever.

In an effort to swing the pendulum toward healthier living in one community, professors Kevin Mercier, Ed.D., Kadi Bliss, Ph.D., and Anne Gibbone ’00, M.A. ’02, Ed.D., began a three-year program in December 2013 in collaboration with the to improve the physical fitness and nutrition of students in grades K鈥�12.

Joining forces to improve the health and fitness of public school students in Freeport are (left to right) Anne Gibbone ’00, M.A. ’02, Ed.D., Kevin Mercier, Ed.D., Freeport High School athletics director Jonathan Bloom, M.A. ’00, and Kadi Bliss, Ph.D.

鈥淔reeport is in line with a lot of other communities鈥攖he children don鈥檛 have enough opportunities to be active and they鈥檙e typically not eating enough fruits and vegetables,鈥� Dr. Mercier said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to work through the schools to help the community see the value of changing nutrition habits and finding time before, during and after school to be active.”

Drs. Mercier, Bliss and Gibbone of the received a federal Physical Education Program (PEP) grant of $701,917 to fund the program after collaborating with Jonathan Bloom, M.A. 鈥�00, Freeport High School鈥檚 director of physical education, health and athletics. Dr. Mercier and Mr. Bloom first discussed the idea at a physical education conference last February.

鈥淭his program will provide quality professional development for our phys ed teachers, as well as much-needed supplies, equipment and services at a time when not many schools are spending money because of budget constraints,鈥� Mr. Bloom said.

鈥淲e鈥檙e looking to add yoga and dance equipment and spin bikes,鈥� Dr. Mercier said. 鈥淎 lot of kids are not drawn to team sports, so this will be a way for them to say, 鈥極h, this is how I want to be active.鈥� In Freeport, there are a lot of athletic fields, gymnasiums, open spaces and a recreation center. We鈥檒l be using them for fitness programs.鈥�

For Adelphi’s to partner with Freeport Public Schools is not unusual considering that six Freeport teachers who attended the December 6 event on the Garden City campus to launch the program are Adelphi graduates.

According to the New York State Department of Health, 22 percent of Freeport students are obese. In working to make Freeport children healthier and fitter, Drs. Mercier, Bliss and Gibbone will focus on their areas of expertise. Dr. Bliss is working with the Freeport Wellness Council on snack and beverage choices in cafeterias and vending machines.

鈥淲e鈥檒l work with a nursery to plant fruit and vegetable gardens at local schools,鈥� Dr. Bliss said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l also have health nights, where parents will be able to see a chef prepare healthier versions of dishes that kids already like to eat.鈥�

Dr. Gibbone, who combines technology with physical education, is using iPads, electronic wristbands and heart monitors to keep track of the students鈥� fitness levels. Dr. Mercier is concentrating on improving the students鈥� physical fitness and energy levels.

鈥淚n three years, we hope to see improvement in students鈥� food choices and physical activity levels, especially beyond the school day,鈥� Dr. Mercier said. 鈥淢ost important, we hope to have put in place a sustainable program. We don鈥檛 want this to be a three-year program. We want to see a changed Freeport community.鈥�