t Meeting designed to

get you off

your couch.

BREMERTON —

The Washington Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, the Washington State Department of Health, and the Health District’s Kitsap Gets Active Coalition are sponsoring the get-together.

The intent of the session is to study the design of the community’s environment and figure out what can be done to improve it, DeGracia said. The community environment includes sidewalks and bike lane availability, as well as anything that encourages residents to walk or ride bike, rather than drive a car.

“The community environment definitely has an impact on our health,” she said.

In a prepared release, DeGracia outlined the positive physical effects of being active, including the prevention of “cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancers and osteoporosis. It also helps to control weight; contributes to healthy bones, muscles and joints; and reduces falls among older adults.”

The first half of the meeting will focus on best practices, or looking to other communities that already are what Kitsap should become.

She’s hoping that representatives from local government, including school districts, will register for and attend the session.

“Staff and volunteers from city and county agencies, schools, park and recreation districts, bike and trail groups, the health care profession and everyone else are cordially invited to attend. There will be an opportunity to dialogue, build partnerships to create a healthy community and learn about best practices,” she stated in the press release.

The workshop is free. To register call DeGracia at (360) 337-5234 or by e-mail at degrap@health.co.kitsap.wa.us. Registration deadline is April 17.