Mary Jo Sheppard Elementary and Special Education Department Win Methodist Mansfield Medical Center Heart Health Challenge

MANSFIELD, Texas, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its commitment to improve the heart health of the communities it serves, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center partnered with Mansfield Independent School District to challenge school principals to a 12-week heart health challenge. The Heart Health Challenge, which began in February, helped administrators, staff, students and teachers take steps toward lowering their risk for heart disease and stroke to live a heart healthier lifestyle by increasing their physical activity and improving nutrition. Today, the top-performing schools were announced, and Methodist Mansfield presented a total of $5,000 in cash prizes to Principals Gary Manns at Mary Jo Sheppard Elementary and Carmelynn Bragiel of the Special Education Department and their teachers for winning the Heart Health Challenge. The funds will be used by the school and special education department to purchase services and resources to enhance learning in the classroom.

Throughout the 12-week challenge:
- 21 Mansfield ISD schools and four departments participated, inspiring teachers and students to improve their heart health through proper nutrition and fitness
- 901 teachers and students reduced their portion size
- 711 teachers and students incorporated fruits and vegetables into their meals each day
- 484 teachers added aerobic exercise into their day
- 446 teachers and students exercised 30 minutes a day
- 275 principals and teachers used stress relaxation techniques
- 285 teachers reduced sodium and trans fats in their diet.

"We are proud of the 3,113 participants who took steps to eat right, get fit, and embrace a heart healthy lifestyle," says Methodist Mansfield Medical Center President John Phillips. "By sponsoring the Heart Health Challenge, 21 schools  inspired teachers and students to improve their heart health through proper nutrition and fitness."

Research supports the approach that healthy lifestyle guidance at schools creates an environment where students can become fit, healthy, and ready to learn. A health conscious atmosphere helps students achieve their full academic potential and supports them in developing lifelong healthy behaviors.

"I am so proud of our principals, directors, teachers, and employees who took the challenge and improved their heart health and wellness," says Dr. Bob Morrison, MISD superintendent. "I thank Methodist Mansfield for providing this challenge and for helping our entire staff take steps to improve their heart health and wellness."

At Mary Jo Sheppard Elementary School, nearly a dozen teachers registered weight loss in the challenge and many students are now more active and able to make better food choices. In the Special Education Department, teachers are rethinking their portion size, being more active throughout the day, and looking forward to healthy snacks.

The Heart Health Challenge led campus administrators to voluntarily follow 12 weeks of focused heart health fitness and wellness. "We are so pleased with the participation from the principals and teachers who joined in taking steps towards living a heart healthier lifestyle by increasing their physical activity and improving their nutrition," says Darin Charles, MD. "We look forward to further work with them as they continue their journey to health and wellness.

To learn more about the Heart Health Challenge at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center visit http://www.methodisthealthsystem.org/HeartHealthChallenge

About Methodist Health System
Guided by the founding principles of life, learning, and compassion, Methodist Health System (Methodist) provides quality, integrated care to improve and save the lives of individuals and families throughout North Texas.  Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Midlothian Health Center, and Methodist Family Health Centers are part of the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Additional information is available at www.methodisthealthsystem.org.

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SOURCE Methodist Health System