Hurlburt agencies prep for Healthy Lifestyle Festival

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The second annual Healthy Lifestyle Festival is scheduled to take place July 7-8 at the Commissary, here.

Multiple agencies are set to gather from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to educate the Hurlburt community on healthier lifestyle choices through nutrition, physical activity and preventative health measures.

“This festival is open to anyone who has access to base,” said Brent Cowen, health promotion coordinator with the Hurlburt Health and Wellness Center. “All age groups will benefit from the information that will be presented.”

A farmer’s market, food sampling, dance lessons, body fat analysis, blood pressure and other health and wellness demonstrations will be on site for attendees.

Different medical representatives will be out informing the public of safety measures for health.

“We will be out talking about safe food practices,” said Staff Sgt. Ethan Ray, NCO in charge of food safety and sanitation with the 1st Special Operations Medical Group. “Proper food preparation is important to maintaining health and avoiding food borne illnesses.”

A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated one in six Americans will get sick from food poisoning this year.

“The more people we can inform on the proper preparation and storage of food, the better,” Ray said.

Along with safe food practices and eating healthy, physical activity is just as important.

“A fitness instructor will be out leading dance activities to get people moving,” said Sandra DeMezzo, a registered dietitian nutritionist with the HAWC and event co-coordinator. “This is a way to show people different physical activity options that can be fun and include the entire family.”

This event will be an opportunity for Airmen and their families to get educated on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.

“There are different lifestyle choices people can make when it comes to health,” DeMezzo said. “We are hoping to encourage them to choose the healthier one.”

For more information about the Healthy Lifestyle Festival, contact Sandra DeMezzo at 884-3438.