Healthy Communities

The Florida Department of Health in Collier County is committed to our partnerships to protect, promote, and improve health in our community. One of our most valuable partners is YOU!

Blue Zones Project wants to unite Southwest Florida around a common goal: improving the well-being of our community. How? By offering free Power 9® well-being activities to help you live your healthiest and happiest life.

Now you can join all their Power 9 themed well-being activities in the comfort of your own home. We invite individuals, homeowners’ associations, worksites, schools, and faith-based organizations to:

• Move naturally with our Fitness and Pilates series
• Down shift with Tai Chi and Yoga classes
• Discover your hidden gifts and talents at a Purpose Workshop
• Join your right tribe and participate in Community Challenges
• Watch a Smoothie or Cooking Demonstration and learn delicious plant slant recipes!

ONLINE POWER 9 WELL-BEING ACTIVITIES (bluezonesproject.com)

Chronic diseases affect many people in Collier County. These diseases generally become more prevalent in the older age groups. As the older adult population of Collier County increases, the prevalence of these diseases will likely increase at a similar rate.

However, the most common chronic diseases can be prevented or have a slower start or progression through behavior changes. Increased physical activity, good nutrition, decreased alcohol use, and quitting smoking are behavior changes that have proven to reduce the risks of chronic disease.

However, these choices and health outcomes are much more than genetics and motivation. The policies and environments in places we live, work, and play have a massive impact on our health. DOH-Collier collaborates with our community partners to make healthy choices in nutrition and physical activity accessible, everywhere you are:

• Worksites
• Farmers’ markets and food access
• Transportation committees
• Schools and early care and education centers
• Community events

_{Please note: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public record request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.}

Reggie Wilson
Healthy Communities Coordinator
Telephone: 239.252.2594
E-Mail: Reggie Wilson

After considering the policies, systems, and environments affecting or whole community, consider what you can do with your lifestyle and choices for your personal health. Whenever possible, let your health support your life with public health guidelines such as:

• Move more and sit less.
• Adults need at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like brisk walking or fast dancing, each week, and muscle-strengthening activity, like lifting weights or doing push-ups, at least 2 days each week.
• Youth ages 6 through 17 need at least 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous activity to attain the most health benefits from physical activity.
• Customize and enjoy nutrient-dense food and beverage choices to reflect personal preferences, cultural traditions, and budgetary considerations.
• Focus on meeting food group needs with nutrient-dense foods and beverages.
• Limit foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium, and limit alcoholic beverages.

Meeting these recommendations consistently over time can lead to long-term health benefits, such as helping prevent 8 types of cancer, reduces the risk of dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), all-cause mortality, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and depression; and improves bone health, physical function, and quality of life. For older adults, physical activity also lowers the risk of falls and injuries from falls.

For all groups, physical activity reduces the risk of excessive weight gain and helps people maintain a healthy weight.

Sources:

• Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2nd edition
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025

Stress

Stress is a major factor in our quality of life and daily choices regarding physical activity and food. Too much stress over an extended period can lead to burnout, which can have uncomfortable symptoms and make healthy choices harder to make. To learn more about the four dimensions of burnout, calculate your risk, and see a checklist of ways to help manage your stress, download the Burnout Assessment Test.

Youth Referral Network

If you are a parent or guardian who is concerned about the weight of a child in your care, please contact the Health Collier Coalition’s pediatric diabetes prevention program at (239)-932-0180 or scan the code below. The program can help guide you and your child on their personal journey to wellness, including healthy, fun meal prep education.