Health Fiesta And Spring Fling Offer Fun For Everyone

Ready to get a jump on spring with new healthy habits for the entire family? Hop to it! The Bob Gilbertson Central City YMCA has partnered with the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department and the Fundacion Familia Sana to host the Palmetto Beach Health Fiesta and Spring Fling from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Desoto Park, 2617 Corrine Street.

The event will feature games, music, exercise classes, a visit from the Easter bunny and an egg hunt with 1,600 eggs.

Visitors also can pick up healthy living tips and take advantage of free health screenings, which include:

• Glucose and cholesterol screenings
• Blood pressure and BMI
• Memory (Alzheimer's )
• Skin cancer
• Hearing tests for elderly community members

Participating agencies and health providers include Moffit Cancer Center, Tampa General Hospital, the Alzheimer's Association, Safe Kids, Reach Out and Read, Hillsborough County Health Department and Florida Blood Services.

The Palmetto Beach Health Fiesta is part of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA's Hispanic/Latino Collaborative. The HLC provides members of the Hispanic/Latino community with health programs tailored to Spanish-speaking persons, and the health concerns they may have.

With one in four Hispanic adults living in the U.S. obese and more than one in six Hispanic high school students overweight, the program's goal is to reduce the risks and encourage healthy lifestyles.

"Obesity is particularly problematic when you understand the links between it and chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, both of which are prevalent in Hispanic communities," said Maureen Chiodini, Tampa YMCA Associate Vice President of Membership and Programs.

"The Palmetto Beach Health Fiesta will provide participants with baseline health data and get them started on a path to healthier living," Chiodini said.