Community Wellness is a total wellness program based on creating the right balance of nutrition and exercise. Today there are a great number of organizations, both private and public, vying for this market. How can park districts compete in this market? The Geneseo Community Park District and Hammond Henry Hospital have joined forces to offer the community the following wellness programs.

Educating the Public to Wellness
The first educational effort was jointly sponsoring activities during Illinois Employee Fitness Day, Friday, May 13, 1988.

Employers in the community were asked by Hammond Henry Hospital and the Geneseo Park District to make some time available on that Friday for employees to participate in a physical fitness activity. To facilitate employee participation in a physical fitness activity, Hammond Henry Hospital and the Geneseo Community Park District conducted several health and fitness activities at the Geneseo Community Center.

Participants who visited the Community Center were asked to complete the Heart Test. This test determined a person's risk of developing heart disease. It told what risks they race and, most importantly, what they could do to reduce controllable cardiovascular risk factors. Answers were analyzed and a personalized report told them how to change their lifestyles to increase their chances of remaining healthy and active as they reduced their risks of heart disease. In addition to the free Heart Test, there were free blood pressure checks and pulmonary function checks which measured lung capacity to detect respiratory disorders.

Employees were invited to participate in a Fun Walk/Run for Fitness. Brochures were available on walking, jogging, fitness, and nutrition.

Nu-Life Nutrition
Nu-Life Nutrition is another program; specifically a weight loss program for anyone who finds it difficult to lose weight. It is staffed by two registered dietitians who both hold masters degrees in Education. The program guides participants through four stages: Discovery, Reduction, Maintenance, and Success.

Discovery: The program begins with a one-to-one counseling session. A nutritionist helps participants discover their basic weight-loss needs and wants, which eventually leads to improved eating habits and better health.

Reduction: The Nu-Life diet-plan, when followed, starts their weight reduction. Persons are encouraged to visit the Nu-Life office daily during this important stage for problem-solving, continuing encouragements and weigh-ins.

Maintenance: When participants have achieved their weight-loss goal, a nutritionist gradually introduces new foods to their diet plan to maintain their desired weight.

Success: Maintaining their weight loss for one full year.

Nu-Life conducts community education seminars on such topics as: How to lose weight and keep it off! Fad Diets: Costs vs. Benefits Controlling sodium in your diet Osteoporosis Fiber: What it can do for you Cholesterol and your diet Nutrition through the life cycle Restaurant eating/fast foods Adolescent Nutrition Sports Nutrition

Nu-Life Nutrition Counseling Session. Left to right: Nu-Life student and Nancy Glass, Nu-Life Manager. (Photo by Geneseo Community Park District.)

Personal Fitness Profile
Personal Fitness Profiles is an evaluation and training program. It is designed to evaluate present conditions of endurance, body composition, strength, flexibility, lung function, blood profile, stress and tension, and cardiovascular risk. After this examination, referrals are given to the individual. In areas such as physical conditioning and weight training, the Park District is called in to provide training guidelines in aerobic conditioning, strength progressions, and flexibility exercise programs available through its various recreational facilities and classes. Areas of weight management and nutritional counseling are referred to Nu-Life Nutrition.

F.U.N. — Fitness Unites Nutrition
This fall, a wellness program called F.U.N. — Fitness Unites Nutrition, was started up. This program incorporates Nu-Life Nutrition and the beginning aerobics program. The F.U.N. program is provided at a reduced rate for both the aerobics and Nu-Life participants. Aerobics are held twice a week with an individualized nutrition counseling session held once a week.

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Cardiovascular Risk Factor Modification
Both of these programs are currently in the planning stages. Hopefully, Hammond Henry Hospital and Geneseo Community Park District will have cardiovascular support programs in full swing by early Spring, 1989.

By joining together with other public agencies, smaller park districts can provide a bevy of wellness programs for their communities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Robert A. Orsi is Director of Parks and Recreation for the Geneseo Community Park District. He has held this position since March of 1975. Mr. Orsi holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation and Park Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.