Soldiers and families of the 188th Infantry Brigade attended a Family Health Awareness Day at Fort Stewart last week as part of a directive by Maj. Gen. J. Michael Bednarek, commanding general of First Army Division East. First Army Division East is the brigade’s headquarter division at Fort Meade, Maryland.
As part of the Army’s goal for creating a resilient force and in support of comprehensive soldier fitness, First Army Division East implemented a “Division East Wellness,” or D.E.W., campaign this year, and brigades are provided a monthly theme to focus on staying healthy and mission-ready.
Soldiers, spouses and children completed a walk for wellness, followed by informal training at informational booths.
The training for the event, which was provided by various agencies on post, covered topics such as child and adult nutrition, drug-use prevention and treatment, smoking cessation, family oriented training, child Internet usage and stress and anger management.
“As part of the ‘Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition’ program, we are trying to get parents to cook more meals for their children and do more activities with them,” said Margaret W. Tilson, from the Winn Army Community Hospital department of preventative medicine. She also advocated cutting down on fast food and time spent playing video games.
“Nothing beats healthy eating,” said Raleighetta Varnedoe, registered dietitian/licensed dietitian with Winn Army Community Hospital. “People nowadays are eating on the run, eating fast and not taking the time to make healthy selections. This impacts their overall health and performance.”
Varnedoe said clients she has worked with have made healthier choices, improved their performance, physical training test scores and have felt better overall.
“Adjusting to military life, with all the moving and changes, can be stressful in and of itself,” said Mimi Johnson, a family advocacy program specialist.
“Being healthy is a passion of mine, and it starts at home,” said Col. Robert A. Warburg, 188th Infantry Brigade commander. “Anytime I can help to educate my soldiers and their families on how to have a healthier lifestyle, I try to take it.”
As part of the Army’s goal for creating a resilient force and in support of comprehensive soldier fitness, First Army Division East implemented a “Division East Wellness,” or D.E.W., campaign this year, and brigades are provided a monthly theme to focus on staying healthy and mission-ready.
Soldiers, spouses and children completed a walk for wellness, followed by informal training at informational booths.
The training for the event, which was provided by various agencies on post, covered topics such as child and adult nutrition, drug-use prevention and treatment, smoking cessation, family oriented training, child Internet usage and stress and anger management.
“As part of the ‘Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition’ program, we are trying to get parents to cook more meals for their children and do more activities with them,” said Margaret W. Tilson, from the Winn Army Community Hospital department of preventative medicine. She also advocated cutting down on fast food and time spent playing video games.
“Nothing beats healthy eating,” said Raleighetta Varnedoe, registered dietitian/licensed dietitian with Winn Army Community Hospital. “People nowadays are eating on the run, eating fast and not taking the time to make healthy selections. This impacts their overall health and performance.”
Varnedoe said clients she has worked with have made healthier choices, improved their performance, physical training test scores and have felt better overall.
“Adjusting to military life, with all the moving and changes, can be stressful in and of itself,” said Mimi Johnson, a family advocacy program specialist.
“Being healthy is a passion of mine, and it starts at home,” said Col. Robert A. Warburg, 188th Infantry Brigade commander. “Anytime I can help to educate my soldiers and their families on how to have a healthier lifestyle, I try to take it.”