Working out in the kitchen

Elizabeth Huff
The Enquirer

Being healthy doesn't have to be boring.

This Saturday, the Junior League of Battle Creek will host its second annual Kids in the Kitchen event aimed at reversing a national trend toward childhood obesity. The free event begins at 11 a.m. in Lakeview High School, 15060 S. Helmer Road.

Almost one-third of children and adolescents in North and South America will be overweight by 2010, which puts them at an increased risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and social problems, according to The Association of Junior Leagues International Inc.

Kate Segal, event chairwoman, said in Calhoun County, one out of four people are obese and one out of five are overweight. The Junior League of Battle Creek is hosting the event because it is particularly concerned with childhood obesity and its consequences, she said.

"It will be kids exercising with their parents, learning new moves, in a kitchen working with foods," Segal said of the event. "The goal is to have fun with your kids, while learning healthy lifestyles."

Participants will learn one of the newest exercise trends to hit Battle Creek: Zumba. It's a fusion of international music with Latin-American dance steps being offered three times a week at the Battle Creek Family YMCA.

"It's hot, it's sexy, it's global and it's exciting," Zumba certified instructor Dana Wells-Jenney said. "You don't have to have rhythm, you just have to have the desire to have fun."

Once a week she teaches Zumba to youth in the YMCA's Y in the Sky program.

"The kids are working out and they don't even realize it," she said. "They think I'm just there to dance with them."

In addition, Chef Jeff Samson of Malia Foods will give kids and parents the chance to make their own lunch while learning about different food combinations and kitchen safety.

Finally, Battle Creek Health System dietitian Carol Barr will talk about how parents can make eating healthier food an adventure.

"Kids should think of food as kind of an adventure — trying new things," she said.

In particular, she said, parents should buy and prepare mostly whole foods with their children. You use more energy making a handmade pizza than ordering it delivered, and it can be a creative outlet for young artists.

"My new thing is, I try to encourage people to eat whole foods — whole grains, whole fruits, whole vegetables — and less of the processed stuff," she said. "They're more filling and more satisfying."

The first 90 children who complete all three programs will receive a Kids in the Kitchen cookbook, an insulated lunch sack, a dental care packet and a certificate of completion.

"Junior Leagues have always been committed to children and our League in particular has been committed to the health of children," Segal said. "It's important for the success of children to have ... good health education so they can make good decisions, not for a week or a month but lifelong. Plus, it's fun."

If you go
• WHAT: Kids in the Kitchen, presented by the Junior League of Battle Creek.
• WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday.
• WHERE: Lakeview High School, 15060 S. Helmer Road.
• COST: Free.
• INFORMATION: Call 979-9767 or e-mail katesegal@hotmail.com.

Originally published March 6, 2008
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