Program encourages church members to get fit | Events

The Healthy Church Challenge 100-day weight-loss competition will culminate June 16 with The Obesity Summit to encourage participants to lose their unwanted pounds and live healthier lifestyles. The Summit will be held at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Rosalind Kurita, policy advisor to the Tennessee Department of Health, and Donna Richardson Joyner, an internationally renowned fitness expert, will be the keynote speakers. Joyner will work out with participants briefly following her address.

The purpose of the Summit is to educate participants, disseminate health information and encourage participants to eat a well-balanced diet, exercise and live a healthy lifestyle both spiritually and physically. It is sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

Baptist Memorial Health Care is sponsoring wellness presentations on such topics as disease management, nutrition and obesity’s impact on children. Health screenings will be available and vendors will disseminate health-related information and products.

Vendors include: Volunteer State Health Plan, The American Cancer Society/TN Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, Southern College of Optometry (vision screenings), Baptist Hospital (blood pressure and BMI screenings), The University of Memphis School of Public Health, Tennessee Men’s Health Network, and Shelby County Tobacco Risk Reduction Program.

Along with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the Challenge is sponsored by Baptist Memorial Health Care, News Channel 3, Hallelujah 95.7 FM, Tri-State Defender, and the Juneteenth Freedom and Heritage Festival.

For more information, call 901-278-0881.

Information provided by the Healthy Church Challenge.