Thibodaux Regional Health System is pleased to announce that it will sponsor
new playground equipment for seven elementary schools in the Lafourche
Parish School District. This project is a continuation of Thibodaux Regional’s
ongoing initiative to improve the health and wellness of the youth in
Lafourche and surrounding parishes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Louisiana
ranks fourth highest in the U.S. in childhood obesity, which often leads
to chronic, preventable conditions in adulthood such as heart disease
and diabetes. The CDC recommends that children and adolescents participate
in 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of moderate-intensity physical activity each day.
Thibodaux Regional has taken a leadership role in addressing childhood
obesity and strongly believes that if children are provided with education
focused on healthy lifestyle choices and an opportunity to increase their
physical activity, improvements can be made to their overall health.
For example, hospital staff members and physicians have provided nutrition
and fitness instruction in a fun and interactive way to sixth grade public
and private schools. Students learned how they can make behavior changes
to achieve success in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, Thibodaux
Regional sponsored books for second grade students that taught a brief
lesson about unhealthy eating habits that are harmful to their health.
“Most recently Thibodaux Regional sponsored new playground equipment
for Raceland Upper and Lower Elementary schools,” said Greg Stock,
Thibodaux Regional CEO. “We received such an overwhelmingly positive
response from the students, teachers and parents that we approached the
school district and elementary school principals about sponsoring adequate
playground equipment for other elementary schools in the parish.”
“The success of this initiative has led to community civic organizations
and business leaders wanting to partner with the hospital in providing
the needed playground equipment,” continued Stock. “We are
excited that others want to get involved, and appreciate the opportunity
to work with them and the School District to further the hospital’s
efforts in providing our youth with the tools they need to make a positive
impact on their overall health.”
“Physical activity gives children a chance to stay healthy. Playground
equipment provides children the opportunity to practice key social, cognitive
and physical skills, said Jo Ann Matthews, Ed. D., Lafourche Parish School
District Superintendent. “We sincerely thank Thibodaux Regional
for its commitment and investment in our students.”