The program is free but registration is required

Bridgeport Hospital’s Ahlbin Rehabilitation Centers will offer a free eight-week fitness program for children 8–11 years old identified by a physician or teacher as being above an ideal or healthy weight.


Sessions will be held Mondays, 4 – 5:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, 4 – 5 p.m., from March 14 to May 4, at the Ahlbin Centers Bridgeport location, 226 Mill Hill Ave. A certified fitness trainer and a registered dietitian will lead each session, according to a statement.

"Through group activities and games, children will learn about the benefits of exercise and good eating habits. Participants will be given homework assignments and be eligible to receive prizes for doing a good job each week," the statement said.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend sessions with their children. Each participant is required to complete a health and medical history form and complete a brief fitness evaluation and questionnaire before the program starts, the statement said. The paperwork will be sent to the participants in advance of the first session.

Class size is limited and parents are encouraged to register their children as soon as possible. For information or to register, call Vikki Winks at 203-336-7348.

And you can find out how to take better care of yours at this event

BRIDGEPORT - St. Vincent's Medical Center will hold its 5th Annual Heart Health Fair from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.Feb. 17 in the Main Lobby.
The event is open to the public at no cost and is in recognition of Heart Month, according to a statement.
The fair will include 15 booths and offer health screenings, information, free parking, a free raffle and giveaways, the statement said.
Held by St. Vincent's Regional Heart & Vascular Center, the cardiology division of the Medical Center, the event "aims to spread awareness of cardiovascular disease risk factors, prevention and treatment options by teaching area residents to focus on overall health and wellness strategies, rather than simply changing habits after an unwanted diagnosis," the statement said.

Attendees will be able to view results of Cardiac CT Scans at the radiology booth and echocardiogram demonstrations at the non-invasive cardiology booth, the statement said.
Body fat analysis, body mass index and blood pressure screenings will be offered free of charge, the statement said. HDL cholesterol screenings will be offered for an $18 materials charge at the Cardiovascular Wellness booth, the statement said.
Additional booths presenting at the fair are the Regina L. Cozza Women at Heart program and the Healthy Hearts Support Group, Cardiac Rehabilitation/CHF Clinic, Stroke Prevention, Bariatrics, Smoke Stoppers, Behavioral Health, Heart Healthy Nutrition and Cardiac Surgery, the statement said.

For more information about the Heart Health Fair, the St. Vincent's Regional Heart & Vascular Center or for referral to a St. Vincent's cardiologist, call the toll-free Care Line at 1-877-255-SVHS (7847) or visit http://www.stvincents.org/.