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JBSA News
NEWS | April 19, 2019

59th Medical Wing to unite JBSA community with annual health rally

By Robert Goetz 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The 59th Medical Wing is again bringing the Joint Base San Antonio community together for a morning of fun and fitness.

The annual 59th MDW Health Rally – which features a 5K run/walk for children and adults, a competitive 9K event and a health fair – is set for 9 a.m. May 4 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph’s Airmen’s Heritage Park.

“The purpose of the health rally is to promote health, fitness, family and nutritional awareness by proactively reaching out to our beneficiaries in the San Antonio area in a fun pep-rally-like format,” said Gina Ramirez, JBSA-Randolph Mental Health Outreach coordinator.

The Fit Kid 5K run/walk is open to people of all ages, Ramirez said.

“Families are encouraged to bring out their jog strollers and their leashed pets,” she said.

Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in three age categories: 10 years old and younger, 11-14 and 15-18.

In the competitive Health Rally 9K, medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in four age categories: 14-17, 18-29, 30-49, and 50 and older.

The health fair will feature information booths representing JBSA medical units, military and family readiness centers, youth centers, chaplain services and San Antonio area nonprofit organizations.

Any Baby Can of San Antonio, which serves families with children facing serious health or developmental challenges, and Bexar County 4-H will bring their “blender bike” to the health fair, Ramirez said.

“It’s a stationary bike that makes smoothies while you pedal,” she said. “We are excited about this health and wellness display.”

The health rally promotes health, fitness and nutrition for children and adults by adhering to the Comprehensive Airman Fitness model, Ramirez said.

“We hit on all four pillars: mental health, physical health, social health and spiritual health,” she said. “Each category here has a corresponding table or activity associated with it.”

The health rally includes a children’s component because it is important to develop healthy eating and fitness habits early in life, Ramirez said. Parents play a major role in ensuring that their children develop these habits.

She recommended that parents plan meals based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate, which shows the food groups as portions on a plate, with fruits and vegetables taking up half the plate.

Ramirez’ other suggestions for parents include creating healthy eating habits with whole food that is nutrient dense; limiting their children’s sugar intake; giving recipes a makeover by making healthy modifications; cooking more meals at home; making exercise fun and finding an activity the whole family enjoys; and being a role model with diet and exercise.

The health rally enhances the Air Force mission by promoting a healthy lifestyle for the warfighter, veterans and their families, Ramirez said.

“We do this by making available a variety of health-related organizations while also offering a few fitness-related activities,” she said. “A key component to becoming a high-reliability organization in the health care industry is to take the initiative to help our beneficiaries think prevention first.”

Those who wish to participate in the Fit Kid 5K or Health Rally 9K can register by visiting http://www.healthrally.us.