Youth Center to hold ‘Healthy Families Fair’ Published April 16, 2010 Tinker Youth Center TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- On May 1, The Tinker Youth Center will hold a "Healthy Families Fair" to kick off National Health and Fitness Month. The purpose of the fair is to offer families resources to maintain healthy lifestyles, especially when a family member is away. A parent who is healthy both mentally and physically will be better prepared to support the family during a deployment. The spouse who is responsible for the household while the other parent is deployed has increased functions and tasks to fulfill which may increase their stress. This affects their choices of what to eat, how to deal with daily stress, whether or not there is time to exercise, how to help their child deal with the deployment or separation and to stay connected emotionally to the deployed member. In recent studies of Army families -- no studies have been done across all services -- the longer the deployment, families experience more sleep disorders, stress, anxieties and depression. Studies also show there are increased incidents of child maltreatment during deployments. It is important to get the word out to families that resources are available to help families cope through deployments. The Healthy Families Fair will offer: · A variety of agencies from on and off base offering resources to help families stay healthy and connected · Free, fun rainy day activity resources for families · Information on family friendly activities in the local community · Fun sessions on toning and exercise for families on the go · Free cook book for each family with a Deplayment tag- quick easy to prepare nutritious meals · Family relay races · Make easy, nutritious snacks with your child · Sessions on Infant Massage and Rhythm Kids · Information on reducing stress, tobacco sensation The event is free to all ID card holders. For more information call the Tinker Youth Center at 734-7866.