First-ever Stoddard County fitness fair termed a success

Several booths were set up during the Stoddard County Fitness Fair held Saturday in Dexter. A wide range of health information was available to those attending including blood sugar checks performed by the Stoddard County Health Clinic. Stoddard County Health Center public health nurse Amanda Sexton (seated, front left) checks the blood sugar of Susan Pullam of Dexter (seated, front right) while public health nurses (standing from left) Charlotte DeWitt and Amy Hector watch.

An estimated 100-125 people took advantage of the nice and cooperative weather on Saturday and went to participate in Stoddard County's first Fitness Fair. Although organizers had hoped for a larger turnout, it was viewed as a success.

Starting at 10 a.m., people started to show up and visit different health-related booths which had been set up at Dexter's East Park. There was a variety of health care providers offering such services as blood sugar screening and blood pressure screening.

"The weather was beautiful and it all went really good," Stoddard County Health Center Assistant Director Tom Roy said. "For the first time, with as little time as we had to prepare, it went very well."

Roy said things went well enough that he and other organizers are already planning for next year's event.

The two primary organizers were the Stoddard County Health Center and the Dexter Parks and Recreation office.

"It was great working with the Dexter Parks Department," Roy remarked. "Working with another organization like that is something the health center hasn't done much of in the past; but we look forward to doing more with them in the future."

Roy said the idea for the Fitness Fair originally came from the Dexter Parks and Recreation February Board meeting. Roy said that part of the planning involved assessing the county's current health issues with the majority of its residents.

Roy had earlier stated that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) suggested nearly one-third of all adults in America are classified as obese and that more than 30 percent of all adults, age 20 and older, have a body mass index of 30 or greater.

It was with these statistics in mind that organizers decided what could be done at the fitness fair. Among approximately 25 health-related booths, organizers had put together a one-mile walk around East Park for everyone to participate in.

"This was a fitness fair for all ages," Roy remarked. "And that's something you don't normally see. Usually when an area has a health fair or something it's tailored to a certain age group. But this was one for children as well as adults; and that's pretty unusual."

"I think it was a good day," Dexter Parks and Recreation Programmer Jamie Lloyd said. "I hope we were able to reach some people. If we were able to make the difference for one person it was all worth it."

Lloyd said many people complimented the way everything had been set up at the park and that nearly all of the booths were well-frequented.

"We decided we may need to shorten the time for next year," Lloyd remarked. "After 12 p.m., we didn't see too many people. And we might try to get more booths set up next year."

Roy and Lloyd both said that planning has already started for next year and that they welcome input from the public.

"Anyone in the community who has any ideas about what could be done or are just willing to help are certainly welcome," Roy remarked. "They can contact me at the Stoddard County Health Center or contact the Parks and Recreation Office."

Jonathon Dawe can be reached via e-mail at jbdawe@dailystatesman.com