5-2-1-0 Let’s Move! Missoula (5210 LM!M) is shifting a culture so healthy environments are the norm because they know that people make the choices that are available to them. How easy is it for you to live a 5-2-1-0 day?
5-2-1-0 is a daily recipe for health. Each day we should try to:
- Enjoy – eat 5 fruits and vegetables.
- Reduce – limit fun screen time to 2 hours.
- Play – engage in physical activity for 1 hour.
- Limit – aim for 0 sugar sweetened beverages. Drink water or milk.
This really isn’t easy, which is why 5210 LM!M works to make the healthy choice, the easy choice.
5210 LM!M is housed within the Missoula City-County Health (MCCHD), but United Way of Missoula County chairs their Leadership Team, Steering Committee, and 5210 Working Group. The 5210 LM!M team of leaders set the direction through national best practice and local data.
For over ten years, MCCHD has conducted the 3rd Grade Body Mass Index Surveillance Project. This project tracks weight status and disparities in childhood obesity over time.
- In 2018, 11% of 3rd graders had obesity in Missoula County. However, that average doesn’t accurately depict the reality. In 2018, 23% of 3rd graders in two low-wealth schools had obesity compared to the 5% of 3rd graders in two high-wealth schools who had obesity.
Why does this matter? The way we build and live in our neighborhoods, schools, and public spaces impacts many health issues. Living a 5-2-1-0 life is much easier when you have a home, disposable income and the support of family and friends. These social determinants of health affect a child’s whole health, academic achievement, and quality of life outcomes. It’s all connected.
5210 LM!M creates healthy environments through the Social
Photo Credit: Tom Bauer
Ecological framework. At the school level, we are institutionalizing best practices through the adoption of district-wide wellness procedures. This local policy process empowers parents, teachers, and administration to champion healthy celebrations, rewards, student stores, fundraisers and much more. 5210 LM!M is building 60 minutes of physical activity into the school day because many families can’t afford or access pay-to-play opportunities such as sports teams or camps. This is done through Brain Break trainings, Active Recess, and Morning Move!, which is their signature recess before-the-bell. Physical activity doesn’t make students smarter, but it sure does prime their brains behavior for learning!
Additionally, the 5210 Working Group promotes healthy environments through family resources and an Affiliate program. Families receive a 5-2-1-0 monthly calendar with all the budget friendly activities happening in Missoula as well as seasonal 5-2-1-0 bingo challenges. 5-2-1-0 Affiliates champion a 5-2-1-0 lifestyle through many practices such as healthy vending and meetings. Affiliates range from non-profits to businesses, banks, child cares and even beloved community events. Find the Winter 2019 Bingo Challenge here!
Excitingly, Community Medical Center recently integrated all the 5-2-1-0 Affiliate standards into their hospital café. Now, 70% of their beverages meet Smart Snack standards. They are swapping out soda advertisements for water, and they encourage fruit and vegetable consumption at point-of-sale. The healthier choice is becoming easier.
Creating healthy environments isn’t easy, but it’s possible through strong partnerships, local data, constant evaluation, and a commitment to reducing disparities. Stay connected with 5-2-1-0 Let’s Move! Missoula on Facebook or learn more by visiting their website, www.5210missoula.com