Department of Health

The Department of Health kicked off the second anniversary of Let's Move STLwith the So You Got Moves Expo on Saturday, February, 11, 2012.  The event was held at St Louis Community College – Forest Park from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  The So You Got Moves Expo focused on healthy lifestyle promotion for families within the community, and aligned with First Lady Michelle Obama's national Let's Move initiative to solve the obesity epidemic.

Health Director Pamela Rice Walker kicked off the day encouraging the participants to stay active.  She was followed by the Commissioner of Health, Melba Moore, the Saint Louis Public School District Athletic Director, Travis Brown, and the St. Louis Community College – Forest Park President, Cindy Hess.  Each speaker inspired the audience to get moving.  After the opening remarks, Ford Elementary School students performed the Let's Move Dance routine, the YMCA Steppers performed a dynamic step show routine, and the Cardio Queen got the crowd warmed up for the different activities of the day.

Once the warm ups were finished, participants had a blast showing off their physical prowess in a variety of ways.  We held 3-on-3 basketball tournaments for all genders and ages, including the Pee-Wee basketball teams featured in the picture.  Participants could hula-hoop their way across the gym or show off their skills double-dutch jump roping with their friends.  Community partner Build-a-Body provided a variety of fitness activities for participants to choose from.  Finally the dancers had the opportunity to show off their moves in the Let's Move dance routine, Zumba, Reggaeton, and other choreographed dances during the expo.  For people needing a break from all the moving around in the gym, there were cooking demonstrations, make your own bike blender smoothies, and planting stations.  Many community agencies including the Department of Health handed out vital health information at the event.  Participants even had the opportunity to get free flu shots (courtesy of People's Health Centers) and do free HIV testing.

Clyde C. Miller Career Academy students were also there in the Hospitality Department of Forest Park competing in the Cooking Up Change^® cooking challenge sponsored by Chartwells.  The local winner of this challenge will have their meal incorporated into the Saint Louis Public Schools lunch menu rotation and move on to the national competition in Washington, D.C.  This year's local winners were Clyde C. Miller Career Academy students Rose Bennett and Courtney Wheeler who cooked up a lunch consisting of Lemony Pepper Chicken as the entrée, along with Caesar salad and a berry-graham parfait as the two required side dishes.

The event culminated with awards given out by Mayor Francis G. Slay for the basketball tournaments and cooking competition.  Overall, the event was a huge success.  The Department of Health performed 20 HIV/AIDS tests, Betty Jean Kerr's People's Health Centers gave out several free flu shots, and people were moving all day!  By engaging families in education and activity, this event provided an exciting opportunity to focus on fighting diseases related to poor diet and fitness habits in members of our St. Louis Community.  Stay tuned for future Let's Move STL events!

Health Department

City of St. Louis