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'Food, Faith, Heritage' sees success in churches; companion book launch set
SIKESTON -- Experts often say using the buddy system is one of the most effective ways for individuals to commit to and stay healthy.
Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium is looking to provide that support system within another through a six-week wellness and nutrition course provided for area churches.
"What we've discovered through classes is people want to be healthy, but they don't always know how," said Tracy R. Morrow, maternal wellness certified health coach for MBRC. "This is a way they can understand how to read nutrition labels, what kind of things to look for -- the hidden sugars and sodium in foods -- all the things they don't necessarily realize that are in foods."
"Food, Faith and Heritage in the Bootheel," is part of MBRC's Maternal Wellness program, Morrow said.
"We wanted something that would last in the community and be something for churches to use to continue the wellness program after we as an organization have gone," Morrow said.
Maternal Wellness is a three-year demonstration project funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health. It's currently in its third year.
"The intent of the program is to get people involved in overall maternal health and wellness, but the program has taken a turn in working with the faith-based community," said Cynthia Dean, CEO of MBRC.
Wellness and faith-based groups go hand-in-hand, Dean said.
"Being healthy is having a healthy mind, body and soul," Dean said.
Now MBRC will launch the wellness course's companion resource tool, "Food, Faith and Heritage in the Bootheel" through a series of upcoming area meetings.
"What we hope the resource tool gives them is an opportunity to continue what they've already learned," Dean said.
Local meetings to launch the resource book are set for 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Boomland in Charleston for Mississippi County and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at Rebecca Sharps in New Madrid for New Madrid County.
"The program has had an impact on the lives of program participants," Dean said. "Participants have lost weight. They've had success with lowering their blood pressure; they're exercising and eating healthier."
Dean said she thinks the resource tool will serve as a guide for not only churches but communities at-large.
"The launching event will introduce our tool and introduce others besides those who are already interested or participating in our program to the benefits of Maternal Wellness," Morrow added.
For the complete article, see the weekend edition of the Standard Democrat.