Health and Fitness EXPOs & Tradeshow News

Health expo promotes steps to better lifestyle

JOPLIN, Mo. — Dan Pekarek on Saturday was touting inexpensive, simple ways for people to get in shape, including walking.

 “We’re encouraging walking because it’s free and it’s easy,” he said.

Pekarek, director of the Joplin Health Department, offered a mapped layout of all walking trails in Joplin at Memorial Hall for the Solve It Resolve It Expo. The event was part of the LiveSmart campaign, started by the Jasper and Newton Counties Community Health Collaborative. The group, which began in 1999, is an alliance of nearly 20 agencies that aims to raise awareness about, promote and make accessible a healthy lifestyle.

 “We encourage proper exercise and proper diet (of all types),” Pekarek said.

There were spinning demonstrations, yoga and Zumba classes. There was also a tai chi demonstration and a dietary presentation by Tammy Roberts, a nutrition and health education specialist for University of Missouri Extension. She offered recipes for healthy, easy-to-cook dishes, some of which she prepared onstage.

The LiveSmart booth also promoted the “five plus five” concept, which states that exercising for 30 minutes a day, five times a week, and working five servings of fruits and vegetables into the daily diet is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Demonstrations of serving sizes and sugar amounts were also featured.

For more details see www.joplinglobe.com