Leadership Cayuga 2011 Presentation "Healthy Cayuga"
In 2008 a Leadership Cayuga team researched the growing obesity problem in Cayuga County, and their work resulted in several activities that, if adopted, would create a healthier population. With a strong foundation of data and ideas, this year’s project team was challenged to build on that work, and develop a specific targeted program to encourage healthy behaviors in Cayuga County. They created a program called “Healthy Cayuga.”
Healthy Cayuga, in the broadest sense, is an initiative that will promote healthy behaviors. A key component of Healthy Cayuga is a fun, healthy contest between the school districts in Cayuga County, engaging students in elementary through middle school. The goals of Healthy Cayuga’s contest include promoting healthy eating habits and daily activity in young children; engaging the whole family, and raising awareness of the high obesity rate among Cayuga County. Through a system of scorecard tracking, students will earn points for eating vegetables, fruit, exercising as well as for choosing to “skip” an unhealthy activity. This program can become a reality through the cooperation of the county health department, our local school districts and involved families.
The Healthy Cayuga initiative can also be adapted for businesses, families or individuals. More information on Healthy Cayuga can be found on Facebook, and viewers can become involved by posting information on local events and activities that will help create a Healthy Cayuga.
