DOH competes in Wellness Challenge

LIHU‘E — An island-wide six-month Road to Wellness Worksite Challenge is under way, sponsored by Get Fit Kaua‘i and in conjunction with the Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition Worksite Wellness Task Force.

The Worksite Wellness Challenge is a competition designed to encourage businesses to implement healthy practices in the workplace and to create sustainable wellness policies and environmental improvements that focus on nutritional and activity based change.

The Department of Kaua‘i District Health Department (DOH) has joined the competition under mentorship of Andrea Lincoln of Lihu‘e Business Association and with team leaders Lucinda Medeiros and Jan Ishibashi.

It is common knowledge that the majority portion of any day is spent at the workplace, says DOH team leaders, which is why they are promoting a “Healthy People Are Happy People” attitude toward health education and permanent well being at work.

To meet the Wellness Challenge, DOH has implemented several new programs and possible policy changes, including a “Bee Healthy Club” that offers daily walks and stretching before work. 

They have organized a monthly healthy lunch program, a take the stairs campaign, and a permanent policy of flexible lunch hours so that employees can shop local farmers markets and purchase local produce.

Medeiros and Ishibashi have prepared informational posters and flyers about harmful food ingredients such as sugar, sodium and fats. They also arranged for Sue Smith to provide an educational workplace seminar about nutrition and healthy portion eating and habits.

The Road to Wellness winner, determined in December, will be the workplace that has made the greatest improvements. The winning business will receive the bronze On the Road to Wellness trophy to display for one year.

To participate, please e-mail Wellness Task Force chairwoman Rose Murtagh at r.murtagh@sbcglobal.net.