Inspiring healthy habits for Monterey County youth

The half-day event taught youth about nutrition and physical activity through an easy-to-remember 5210 framework — 5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 hours or less of recreational screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity, and 0 sugary drinks. 

As each class rotated through each 5210 zone, they learned essential healthy habits through fun and engaging activities like soccer drills with Monterey Bay F.C., an art project with Montage Health Foundation, a team-building relay with Kids Eat Right, and a movement challenge with Aspire Health’s Don’t Feed the Diabetes Beast. The day concluded with a healthy lunch and group picture. 

Third and fourth graders from Ione Olson Elementary School in Marina, University Park Elementary School in Salinas, and San Vincente Elementary School in Soledad participated in this year’s field day. The trip recognized the schools, teachers, and classrooms that have championed and participated in Aspire Health’s school education curriculum. 

“Healthy Youth Field Day is a celebration of Aspire Health and Montage Health Foundation’s commitment to promoting healthy lifestyle habits and reducing the type 2 diabetes and prediabetes risk in Monterey County,” says Tyler Munson, Chief Executive Officer of Aspire Health. “It is inspiring to see community partners, schools, and health educators convene for the second year in a row to foster a generation of healthy students across the county.” 

The Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative’s 2022 community health survey listed diabetes as Monterey County’s top health issue. More than half of Monterey County residents have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, which is well above the national average. Developing healthy habits early can reduce diabetes risk for young people and their families.  

Healthy Youth Field Day was made possible by grant support from Montage Health Foundation and developed by Aspire Health. 

Learn more about Aspire Health’s community health initiatives.