As part of the statewide effort to help everyone get to their healthiest weight, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County is challenging everyone to move. The 9^th Annual LET’S MOVE! is a 5K walk and health fair that will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at  Barnett Park located at 4801 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando.  Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.

This event is a collaboration between the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, Tobacco Free Florida, Orange County Parks and Recreation, Omega Psi Phi, and Pollo Tropical to encourage residents to live a healthier lifestyle by becoming more physically active and eating more healthy. LET’S MOVE is part of the State Surgeon General’s “Healthiest Weight” initiative.

In addition to individual walkers and runners, local churches and schools are being challenged to live a healthy lifestyle by participating. There is a team challenge for churches, schools, civic organizations, and businesses. Trophies and prizes will be given to the teams having the most participants.

You can participate by registering as an individual, or you can create and register as a walk team. Registration for the free LET’S MOVE! 5K walk and health fair can be done online by visiting www.orange.floridahealth.gov under the events section.  

“Walking is an excellent way to increase physical activity and decrease chronic diseases. Increasing the number of steps you take every day can make a positive impact to your health,” said Lesli Ahonkhai, assistant director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County.

Adults and children with healthy lifestyles are less likely to develop heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Together, these conditions accounted for over half (59.3%) the deaths in 2012, according to Florida statistics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that in 2013 Florida’s obesity prevalence in adults was 26.4%. In order to help control the risk factors for obesity, stroke and other chronic diseases, it is important to live a healthy lifestyle which includes: not smoking, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, reducing stress, and visiting a doctor to monitor your health.

In addition to the 3.1 mile route there will be a one mile route for senior adults and children. Attendees can also enjoy free health screenings, health information, healthy snacks, healthy samplings, a kid’s zone, and fun activities such as a hula hoop contest, Zumba, and much more. 

For more information about this event, please contact the Department of Health in Orange County at 407-858-1464.