Photo by Ashley Latta. The sixth annual Holiday Food and Fitness Expo featured nutrition information, healthy snacks, flu vaccines and group yoga demonstrations.

Published on: Wednesday, November 10, 2010

By Ashley M. Latta

A steady flow of Prince George’s County residents attended the sixth annual Holiday Food and Fitness Expo Saturday at the Wayne K. Curry Sports & Learning Complex, where they enjoyed healthy snacks, free flu shots, group yoga and the opportunity to talk one-on-one with local health care practitioners.

The complex was filled with the buzz of excited volunteers and members of the community, browsing informational booths, eating healthy foods and playing “active” games.

The organizers of the expo hoped the event would promote healthy behaviors that will reduce diabetes, hypertension and heart disease in the community.

The Holiday Food and Fitness Expo planning committee also honored County Executive Jack B. Johnson for his continued support and dedication to a healthier Prince George’s County.

Among the organizations that participated in the event were Prince George’s County Public Schools, Board of Education, Health Department, Community College, Parks and Recreation, Washington Adventist Hospital, Maryland Black Mayors Inc., Priority Partners and Greater Baden Medical Services.

Maryland Black Mayors Inc. chose to sponsor the event because they endorse Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative, which seeks to encourage America to raise a healthier generation of kids.

The group focused on improving childhood nutrition at their tables by giving away bottles of water and healthy snacks, such as whole grain goldfish, and promoting healthier school lunches.

Xzavier Montgomery-Wright, Brentwood mayor and vice president of Maryland Black Mayors Inc, said she believes healthier school lunches are extremely important in this endeavor.

The health department booth also focused on nutrition, specifically portion control. LaToya Powell, a nursing student at Bowie State University, initially volunteered to fulfill a requirement for one of her classes but really enjoyed participating in the event.

She said most people were surprised by what they learned from her. As she described appropriate portion sizes and demonstrated ways to limit the amount of food consumed, people exclaimed “my plate never looks like that.”

The volunteers also had the opportunity to peruse the booths. As an expectant mother, Powell took the opportunity to check out the pregnancy information table where she learned about the importance of breast feeding.

Volunteer Martha Sullivan, of Laurel, spent the day helping the health department administer flu vaccines. She text messaged her husband to bring their daughter to get her flu shot, she said.

The turnout for the clinic, which offered both the traditional vaccine and the nasal spray, was higher than expected.

“We’ve given over 200 shots,” Sullivan said around 12:30 p.m.

In addition to free services and information, participants were entertained with music, a yoga class, an impressive gymnastics demonstration and other fun group activities. Participants appeared to enjoy the expo, and many of the volunteers said they will definitely volunteer again next year.