KEYS4HealthKids

The KEYS 4 HealthyKids (K4HK): Unlocking the Door to a Better Tomorrow Initiative will initially focus on low resource at-risk youth and their families living on the West Side and the East End of Charleston with expansion to other communities throughout Kanawha County. The vision of the Charleston-based KEYS 4 HealthyKids: Unlocking the Door to a Better Tomorrow Initiative is to positively impact the current childhood obesity epidemic. The K4HK Initiative will focus on revamping neighborhoods for kids and families that offer improved physical activity and play opportunities along with access to affordable, healthy foods and beverages. To give kids the best chance to lead the healthiest lifestyle possible, both active living and healthy eating must be available for high-risk families. Barriers or “doors to be unlocked” exist for low-income kids and families to lead active, healthier lives. To combat the current restrictive, and often unsafe, environment of Charleston’s low-income areas, this initiative will seek to achieve four goals or “KEYS” to unlock these doors or barriers. The four KEYS are:

K = KNOWLEDGE (5-2-1-0 healthy lifestyle campaign)
E = EATING HEALTHY through community gardens,
Y = YOUTH BEING ACTIVE through green space and packet parks,
S = SAFETY & EMPOWERMENT through joint use agreements.

The KEYS 4 HealthyKids team would like to assist you improving the walkability of your community. Everyone benefits from walking. These benefits include: improved fitness, cleaner air, reduced risks of certain health problems, and a greater sense of community but it must be safe and easy. Take a walk or bike ride with your child use these checklists to decide if your neighborhood is a friendly place to walk and bike. The KEYS 4 Healthy Kids Team wants to know if you find problems, so we can advocate for change in the environment or policy. Try starting from your house and see what is around you then walk or bike to the school, store or favorite place to go. The second step involves the checklist. Read over the checklist before you go, and as you walk or bike, note the locations of things you would like to change. At the end of your walk or bike ride, give each question a rating. Then add up the numbers to see how you rated your walk or bike ride overall.

5-2-1-0 Poster

Fast Food Pocket Guide