Bailey Medical Center’s PLAY Program Partners With Local Restaurants and Schools to Encourage Healthy Lifestyle
OWASSO, OK – Today, approximately 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States are obese; this is triple the number from just one generation ago. In addition to the negative health effects of childhood obesity, such as high cholesterol, high blood sugar, asthma, and mental health problems, overweight children are five times more likely to grow into overweight adults who will face a lifetime of health concerns.
Bailey Medical Center is committed to creating a healthy community and understands a healthy community begins with healthy families. To improve the health and wellness of Owasso and the surrounding areas, Bailey Medical Center is proud to introduce the PLAY Program. PLAY, or Parents – Learning Activities – Youth, will offer a number of learning opportunities and activities to instill the knowledge and resources needed to create healthier families by encouraging a healthy diet, and replacing “screen time” with physical activities.
To teach and encourage healthy eating habits, the program has partnered with Owasso Public Schools to roll-out the PLAY Program Passport to over 4,500 children from Pre-K to 5th grade during school assemblies in January. The program allows students to earn a healthy eating sticker for their passport each time they choose a healthy food option selected by the PLAY Program Adolescent Dietitians. Participating restaurants include:
- Chick-fil-A, 12015 E 96th St N, Owasso
- Chili’s, 12301 E 96th St N, Owasso
- Owasso-area McDonald’s
- Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, 9017 N 121st East Ave, Owasso
- Restaurants are being added every day, visit www.BaileyMedicalCenter.com/PLAY for the most up-to-date list.
Once a student has completed their passport, it can be redeemed for two free or reduced-price tickets to local sporting events courtesy of the Tulsa Drillers, Tulsa Shock, Tulsa Oilers, Tulsa Revolution and Oklahoma Defenders.
“Chick-fil-A at Owasso Market is pleased to partner with Bailey Medical Center,” said Elaine Slaughter, Marketing Director for Owasso’s Chick-fil-A. “Our kid’s meal option reflects our commitment to help parents strike a balance between nutrition, convenience and price. We want parents to know that they do have a choice at Chick-fil-A.”
PLAY Program coordinators will also work with Owasso Elementary School music, computer and physical education teachers to develop material to reinforce the PLAY Program concepts throughout the year. The PLAY Program also hosts special events, such as the Bailey Medical Center Strong Kids Triathlon held in partnership with the Owasso YMCA this past August, to encourage the community to come together to celebrate a healthy and active lifestyle.
To learn more about the PLAY Program, please visit www.BaileyMedicalCenter.com/PLAY.
Restaurants interested in participating in the PLAY Passport Program are asked to contact PLAY Program Director David Steward at david.steward@baileymedicalcenter.com.
Located at 106th and North Garnett, Bailey Medical Center (BMC) is a 73-bed acute care hospital serving Owasso and the surrounding communities. BMC provides a wide range of services, including 24-hour emergency care, inpatient and outpatient surgery, obstetrics, cardiology, orthopedics, medical weight loss, sleep medicine, as well as imaging, laboratory and rehabilitation services. To learn more about Bailey Medical Center, please visit www.BaileyMedicalCenter.com.
