National Employee Health and Fitness (NEHF) Day is Wednesday, May 21, 2008. NEHF is a national health observance, created to promote the benefits of physical activity for individuals through their work site health promotion activities.

This year, the Sedgwick County Health Department is promoting a "Walk at Work" day on May 21st. We are encouraging employers to motivate employees to take the time to walk at work during their break or lunch hour. The Sedgwick County Health Department will have a link on our website on the day of the event for people to register their participation. The online registration form will request minimal contact information so that individuals can participate in a drawing for prizes.

Businesses interested in participating in "Walk at Work" as well as those interested in receiving free promotional posters and buttons to promote participation at their workplace, should contact Lauren Scafe at lscafe@sedgwick.gov or 316-660-7198 for more information. Businesses not interested in material but who would still like to participate in a company walk on May 21st are encouraged to do so.

Cessna started its wellness program, Plane Healthy, in April 2007. The program started with an incentive being offered for completion of a Health Risk Assessment and a physical exam with the employee's personal physician. The first year was met with remarkable success evidenced by 78% participation in the program. Starting in 2008, Cessna added to the program by offering fun, easy behavior change programs focusing on nutrition, exercise, weight management and stress reduction.

To date, there is an average of 50% participation in each of the programs and momentum is building. In addition to the behavior change programs, onsite wellness seminars and basic wellness screenings are being offered in partnership with Via Christi Solutions for Life. Topics for the seminars are chosen based upon HRA aggregate data and also upon suggestions from employees.

Cessna, in its commitment to wellness, also introduced healthier options into the employee cafeterias and is currently in the process of constructing two separate walking paths at the Mid- Continent facility, to provide a safe route for employees to get physical activity during the workday. Once completed, future plans for an additional walking path at the Pawnee facility will also be discussed.

The Positive Plate Award was created by local dietitians to highlight restaurants that make healthy eating easy and delicious by following the Dietary Guidelines. The Pita Pit offers a whole grain pita with your choice of fresh vegetables and grilled meats. The PPA Committee was excited to learn of the plan for a children's menu which would include milk, yogurt, carrots and smaller portions of meat.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that in 2006 American's spent over 500 billion dollars on away-from-home eating, therefore, the Wichita Dietetic Association will continue to highlight other Wichita area restaurants that make healthy eating easy-and delicious.

Walkable neighborhoods offer surprising benefits to our health, the environment, and our communities. They offer better health a study in Washington State found that the average resident of a pedestrian- friendly neighborhood weighs 7 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood! There is a reduction in greenhouse gas, more transportation options, and stronger local businesses.

Peterson Elementary School was awarded one of the Health and Wellness Coalition School Awards for a project titled "Healthy Treats for Happy Feet". The objectives of the program are to give students the opportunity to sample a variety of healthy snacks, provide teachers a resource to promote physical activity and healthy snacks in their classrooms and to give parents a better understanding of the importance of good nutrition and physical activity.

Each classroom takes regular 15-20 minute walks and at the end of each recording period the students are rewarded with a healthy snack. Students have enjoyed clementine oranges, fruit salsa and fruit chips, popcorn and smoothies donated by Smoothie King. The responses have been very positive for all of these healthy treats, most of which the students have never tasted before! The regular walks are obviously a benefit to students and teachers as well! There have been articles in our schools newsletter to provide parents with ideas for healthy snacks, suggestions for healthy treats for parties, and other health information. Because of this the treats provided at most parties include healthier snacks.