Let's Get 1 Million Indigenous People Moving!

Contributed by: Healthy Traditions Program
Date: 2/24/06

The Healthy Traditions Department at the Sonoma County Indian Health Project have designed a nutritional / exercise program, lasting 12 weeks for Native youth ages 10 -16 who are over the 85th percentile in weight for their age. Enlisted to spearhead this great effort is Tom Bohanan! Tom Bohanan (Oklahoma Choctaw) is a Native American Fitness Master who works with the youth weekly, focusing on nutrition and increasing physical activity.<br /><br />This is a twelve (12) week commitment for all participants who wish to join. The best part is this is being offered for FREE! At no cost to our youth except a serious commitment, a desire to change, and a will that won&rsquo;t quit!</br></br>Each week TOMBO! covers different nutritional topics. Topics include calorie intake/ output, portion sizes, reading food labels, and sugars / types of sugars. After he works out their brain he leads the group in fun calisthenics and aerobic exercises. To date there have been 12 consistent participants who work hard towards earning TOMBO! bucks which they can redeem at the end of the program. Incentives include exercise equipment (balso balls, stretch bands, jump ropes, etc.), and a specially made &quot;Just Move It&quot; with TOMBO! Gym bag! The grand prize will be a bicycle. We are encouraging these youth to stay active and eat healthy. It has been proven with just 30 minutes of exercise a day and losing 7% of your total weight, diabetes can be prevented!<br /><br />This is another component in the Healthy Traditions arsenal to take a proactive approach in preventing diabetes in those at risk by reducing their risk factors through moderate weight loss or stabilization.<br /><br />Live a great day through Healthy Traditions!<br /><br />Daniel Garcia Youth Coordinator