Aroostook County has one of the highest obesity rates in Maine. For this reason, Healthy Maine Partnerships in Aroostook County have been addressing obesity since 2001. Because of the enormity of the problem, a committee was formed in 2008 to specifically address youth obesity, known as Let’s Go! Aroostook. The coalition’s goal is to increase physical activity and healthy eating for children from birth to age 18.
Through a grant by United Way of Aroostook, The Lets Go! committee was recently able to award mini-grants to five local organizations. Those recipients are:
• Hilltop Elementary School, Caribou: (Organized indoor recess, allowing students an opportunity to be physically active no matter what the weather outside.) Hilltop Elementary assists students in getting one hour or more of physical activity every day.
• St. Francis Elementary School: (Raised bed vegetable garden project.) St. Francis Elementary students will be able to work toward eating at least five fruits and vegetables a day.
• Houlton Parks and Recreation Department: (Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 Wellness Day including a healthy barbecue, a variety of healthy activities, as well as healthy activity equipment.) Houlton Parks and Recreation youth are able to understand how they have been accomplishing 5-2-1-0 all summer through their weekly activity as well as structured playground activities.
• Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) North Street Center, Houlton: (Healthy lifestyles classroom library and indoor/outdoor equipment that promotes gross motor skills as well as physical activity.) ACAP’s North Street Center is helping to instill an understanding of what a healthy lifestyle consists of as well as helping the children begin incorporating it into their lives at an early age.
• Kurioucity Childcare and Learning Center, Mars Hill: (Daily movement activity equipment including octa-band, physio rolls, gertie balls, and preschool aerobic fun). Children at Kurioucity Childcare and Learning Center can now more easily achieve one hour or more of physical activity every day.
“The support from United Way of Aroostook allowed the five recipients to take the Let’s Go! program to a new level. We (Let’s Go! Aroostook) have been able to witness how well youth understand the 5210 message and have been engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors that support it. We are grateful for the generosity of United Way of Aroostook – it has helped us work toward our mission of promoting healthy living choices for children, youth, and families in Aroostook County” Martha Bell, community education specialist, Healthy Aroostook.
The Let’s Go! Aroostook program is modeled after the Let’s Go! of Greater Portland project. Both projects focus on youth obesity in six sectors (school, after school, child care, community, health care, and worksites). The program is based on the following easy to remember 5-2-1-0 message (eat five fruits and vegetables daily, limit TV and computer screen time to two hours or less, get one hour or more of physical activity every day and drink less sugar, try water and low-fat milk instead). Let’s Go! Aroostook’s reach currently includes 31 schools, six clinical sites, 13 child care centers, and five community organizations.
The Let’s Go! Aroostook committee is composed of several organizations including local Healthy Maine Partnerships, hospitals, parks and recreation departments, child care centers and other community organizations. Let’s Go! Aroostook strives to accomplish a goal of increasing physical activity and healthy eating for children from birth to age 18. By integrating consistent messaging, Let’s Go! Aroostook aims to raise awareness by reinforcing the 5-2-1-0 message in various settings so that the children remember it and begin to incorporate it into their daily lives.
