FORT WALTON BEACH — A community health initiative launched Jan. 21 may empower Okaloosa employees to make healthier choices.
Healthy Okaloosa Worksites is is a Florida Department of Health-Okaloosa certification for employers who commit to making policy and environmental changes to promote the health and wellness of their employees.
Current HOW participants are:
●Acentria Insurance
●Beulah Christian Academy
●Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast
●Childcare Network Inc 142
●City of Fort Walton Beach
●City of Mary Esther
●Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County
●Northwest Florida State College Childcare Center
●Revive Media Services
The Healthy Okaloosa initiative uses the 5210 principles.
5: Eat five or more fruits and vegetables every day. Encourage and support breastfeeding.
2: Limit recreational screen (TV, computer, etc.) time to two hours or less each day.
1: Be physically active at least one hour every day.
0: Cut back on sugar-sweetened beverages. Eliminate use of and exposure to tobacco and nicotine products.
Other sectors of the current Healthy Okaloosa initiative include Healthy Okaloosa Childcare and Healthy Okaloosa Schools.
DOH-Okaloosa plans to launch Healthy Okaloosa Afterschool and Healthy Okaloosa Summer Care later this year.
For more information on how to be involved with any of the Healthy Okaloosa initiatives, email HealthyOkaloosa5210@flhealth.gov.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 9 Okaloosa businesses promoting their employees' #health