We look the obesity epidemic in the face every day
Our youth are facing a health crisis which may eventually overcome their aspirations. Overweight and obesity among American children is a national epidemic with dire health and economic consequences that jeopardizes the quality of life and life expectancy of our youth. Ethnic minorities, when compared to non-minorities have twice the level of obesity and obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. In addition to this racial disparity, environmental barriers such as limited access to healthy foods lead to poor health outcomes related to poverty. It is imperative that our youth learn the value of nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices before it’s too late. We believe that healthy children will live longer, healthier lives, will improve academically, and will espouse a more positive self-image, self-confidence, and a sense of empowerment and control over their own lives.
Health Masters Club is helping- we provide evidence-based community programs designed to improve the well-being of children and their families by reducing obesity and obesity-related illnesses. The vision pioneers a wellness promotion model for health care providers linking community partnerships to promote lifelong healthy nutrition and physical activity. Click here for more information on HMC’s history.
Hungry for Community Involvement & Healthier Lifestyles
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Through the dedication of its Executive Director and supporters, HMC works towards their mission in a variety of ways, including:
HMC partners with a number of organizations on a regular basis. The common denominator among these partnerships is that they have all allowed HMC to engage residents at a grassroots level, gaining trust and growing relationships with many families. Partners include:
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About our signature program: Health Masters Camp
If obesity rates continue to rise among children, one out of every three children born after the year 2000 will eventually develop type 2 diabetes, a serious but preventable disease. Health Masters Club is actively working to change that statistic. Every year, HMC provides a unique and intensive summer camp for at-risk kids with pre-diabetes. The Health Masters Camp provides a safe environment where Health Coaches motivate campers to achieve their health, academic, and life goals by melding health and wellness curriculum with character-building activities. Participants leave HMC Camp with an understanding of the importance of healthy lifestyles and the tools to make significant changes in their own (and their family’s) health. We believe that Health Masters Camp is the place to learn healthy behaviors, make new friends, and have fun!
***ATTENTION***
The 2007 Health Masters Club kickoff will be held on July 29th from 1:30-4:00! Join us at the John Bridges Community Center (445 W. 13th Street Apopka, 32703). There will be food, music, and storytelling. Entertainment will be provided by Chillers Band and Entertainment Zone. A big thank you goes out to Larry Meredith of the Hunter Insurance Group and David Hunter of Hunter Real Estate Associates for being our primary sponsors for Health Masters Camp 2007! Another big thank you to Community Action for once again providing transportation for our campers to the National Training Center.
Learn more about HMC's Executive Director, Dr. Moody
For more information, please visit our programs page.
Are you ready to make a change?
All of our participants and sponsors take the following pledge and display the proclamation to
show their support and commitment to the Health Masters vision.
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Pledge of Wellness I pledge to have the best day every day. I pledge to value my health above everything else, to take control of my choices, to love and accept myself, eat healthy foods, and exercise. I am a responsible Health Master and I can master that!
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Click the Proclamation for a larger view |
One way you can make a difference is to pledge your support of our wellness message by becoming a Health Masters Club Sponsor and adopting our proclamation in your home, workplace, school, church, or anywhere else! We hope that the community will join us in making the community a healthier place one pledge at time. Contact us for more information on the benefits of adopting the pledge and proclamation.
News & Upcoming Events
4/20-4/22/07
HMC's booth and "live mannequin" at the Hispanic Healthy Lifestyle Summit was a big hit! The summit, held at the Orange County Convention Center, allowed Dr. Moody and Outreach Worker Aurora Santana to share information about food stamps and Health Masters Camp with over 500 people!
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| The Health Masters Club Display | Our live mannequin made visitors do a double take! | Giveaway baskets were a hit, as always |
4/9/07: Trans Fat Awareness Day
The City of Orlando declared April 9th, 2007 Trans Fat Awareness Day. Learn more here and see what Health Masters Club Executive Director has to say on the subject here. You may be surprised to hear the statistics about trans fat and your health!
3/27/07
When the Orange County Health Department issued a Diabetes Alert Day, Health Masters Club knew they needed to be involved. On March 27th, HMC helped the Health Department by screening residents for diabetes and providing them with information. For more information, click here.
3/20/07
HMC participated in “Spring Forward with Health” at Lockhart Middle School. The fair, which helped the school meet one of the requirements for a federal grant, covered topics like calories and healthy snacks. 8th graders acted as peer mentors and helped educate younger students. The United Way Gifts in Kind Center provided lots of fun giveaways and the day was enjoyed by all!
1/12/07
The Red Baron Health and Wellness Tour made a stop at Apopka Elementary School, bringing tons of health and wellness fun. The event included 3-D films called “What’s to Eat Food Pyramid Game Show” and “The Red Baron Flying 3-D Adventure.” The event was made possible by a collaboration between HMC and the Orange County Food and Nutrition Services.
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The Health Masters Club “Home Team”
Board of Directors
Sherry Clark, Family Literacy Coordinator, Adult Literacy League, Inc.
Gloria Esteban, Programs Director, Junior Achievement of Central Florida
Rita Hoyt, RD, EatWise, Inc.
Stephanie Norris, MS, RD, LD/N, Nutrition Communications, Dairy Council of Florida
Marcus Robinson, Interim President, Greater Washington Shores Homeowners Association
Anthony Sayer-O’Neill, Track Shack
Toni Moody, M.D., Executive Director, Health Masters Club
Proclamation Sponsors & Program Partners
Amerigroup
Amscot Financial
East Central Dietetic Association of Florida
Orange County Community Action
Stephanie Norris, RD of the Dairy Council of FL
Track Shack Foundation
Past Sponsors
Community Health Improvement Council
Central Florida Women's Resource Center
Good Health Network
Metropolitan Orlando Urban League
Sugarbash
Track Shack
LINKS
Healthy People 2010: Health Masters Club’s goals are closely linked to Healthy People 2010’s strategic plan http://www.healthypeople.gov/
Action for Healthy Kids: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/
© Health Masters Club and Health Masters Camp are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office
