GE Helps Kids to BEE Healthy

On Wednesday morning, (GEAM) partnered with to host a BEE Healthy Fitness Buzz event, part of GE’s national healthymagination initiative, which strives to lower costs, touch more lives and improve the quality of healthcare.

This is the second BEE Healthy event to be held in Stamford, although others are held around the region and around the country as part of GE's HealthAhead program.

“It's all about improving the health of employees. For us, that includes extending the message to the community,” Chris Linehan, director of institutional Communications at GEAM said. “We focus on eating healthy and excercise. We want them to take that message back to the classroom and also take it home and share it with their parents, families, and friends.”

Over 240 students from the third, fourth, and fifth grades engaged in a series of activity stations including hula hoop, Zumba, jump rope, freestyle exercises, nutrition, and yoga. The activities were designed to reflect BEE Healthy’s three elements: Balance for stretching and flexibility; Exercise for endurance and strength; and Eat well through a healthful diet.

GE volunteers helped students as they rotated through each station—giving hula hoop tips, counting reps, and encouraging them to try different things. Certified personal trainer Betty Kelly-Camlin, founder of Bodywise by Betty, lent her talent and enthusiasm to the Zumba station.

In the auditorium, Jaimi Cheneski, Wren Rex, and Michelle Matzelle led the nutrition station.

“We did this last fall at , but it was a bigger group,” Cheneski said. “This has been more interactive, the kids have some great questions.”

“How many of you have made the choice to drink a Coke?” Rex asked the kids.

Most hands in the room went up. The children then guessed whether one Coke had the equivalent of nine, 18, or 25 sugar cubs worth of sugar. (The answer was 25.)

They went on to discuss other popular drink choices including Sunny D, apple juice, and Gatorade, before moving on to a discussion about McDonalds food options. Framing each activity like a guessing game, Cheneski, Rex, and Matzelle held the group's attention throughout.

"When you sit down to eat Oreos, how many do you eat?" Rex asked.

Students replied with answers including "four", "ten," and "the whole package." Rex then explained that three Oreos make a serving size and the children received an early lesson in measuring portions.

GEAM plans to host more BEE Healthy programs in schools throughout Stamford, continuing to bring their high-energy health education program to area children.