Contact: Justin ParkCommunity Engagement & Communications CoordinatorColorado Center for Community Development University of Colorado Denver | College of Architecture & PlanningMailing Address: CAP, Campus Box 126, PO Box 173364, Denver, Colorado 80217Physical Address: 1512 Larimer Street, Suite 750Phone: 303-315-5866 | Fax: 303-315-5872justin.park@ucdenver.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Healthy Eating Bandwagon has Driven Through Westwood, and More Members are Jumping on Board

Denver, Colorado (December 8, 2010)-Live Well Westwood has taken its residents by storm! In initiating a healthy eating and active lifestyle program, this organization is educating community members on the importance of taking care of your body and mind. The problem being faced is that many people are unsure how to eat healthier, as well as not having the funds to purchase such foods.

Some of the suggestions that Live Well Westwood believe will help the community become healthier include better eating habits, growing healthy fruits and vegetables in backyard gardens, and taking part in fun activities such as Zumba dance classes.

Live Well Westwood also lends their support to the youth who walk or bike to school. Although exercise is a step in the right direction toward a goal of good health, eating habits are also very important.

“You body is like a car. While sleeping, your body uses up the gas reserves from your last meal or snack. When you wake up, your body needs more food to fuel up again.” Catia Chávez, from The Integrated Nutrition Education Program, helps younger children understand how their body needs food to function properly.

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Chávez explains that eating a healthy and balanced breakfast can help set the stage for a more productive day.

Dr. Abigail Brown, principal of Munroe Elementary, believe there are many positive results that come from eating healthier foods and staying active. “Healthy food choices give children better energy - they can concentrate and pay attention much easier.”

Live Well Westwood is overcoming the challenges of eating habits and healthy lifestyles by helping Westwood residents grow their own gardens and encouraging people to stay active on a daily basis. Their goals of encouraging 10% of the Westwood population to exercise and eat healthier are obtainable, and many people are taking the initiative.

Live Well Westwood is accomplishing so much in their local communities. Healthy eating affects every member of a community. You can make the simple choice to eat a better breakfast every morning. By word of mouth and positive results, many more community members will jump on the healthy eating bandwagon. Soon, everyone is feeling better, and even though it may be hard to stay on track, you always have friends willing to support you, and encourage you to make those healthy choices for yourself.

About Live Well Westwood The Colorado Center for Community Development (CCCD) is a community service center for the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado Denver. The Center seeks to improve the quality of community life by addressing a broad range of contemporary community problems using community development approaches. The Colorado Center works in communities large and small, rural and urban, in towns that never thought they needed outside assistance, and in neighborhoods historically underserved. For more information, please visit www.livewellcolorado.org

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