FULL STEAM AHEAD

Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rather than participating in physical activities, too many children spend countless hours playing video games, watching movies, and surfing the Internet. To compound problems, fast food has replaced home-cooked meals for families who are too busy to shop or cook.

A Lake County woman hopes she has found the perfect recipe to combat this epidemic and help children lead healthier lifestyles.

Sara Meyer, a former kindergarten teacher in South Lake County for seven years and director of a foster care program in Ocala, recently formed STEAMFIT Academy. Her after-care program allows students enrolled in local public or private elementary schools to learn about the importance of healthy eating and fitness by participating in hands-on courses such as nutrition, gymnastics, Zumba, public speaking, art, and martial arts. The Minneola-based academy opened January 4.

“We’re not a school or daycare; we’re more of a club-like atmosphere where we instill the importance of health into children at an early age. I want every child to understand what health truly is and how healthy minds and healthy bodies work hand-in-hand.”

Schoolchildren spend fourand-a-half hours at the facility, which features a kitchen with utensils and cooking supplies, an art room with easels, paintbrushes, and colored pencils, and an open area where students apply STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) concepts to build robots.

Because art is part of the curriculum, Sara added an “a” and affectionately named her company STEAMFIT.

On a recent morning, three boys and three girls gathered in the kitchen around a wooden table. Each student had a cup of warm water and anxiously awaited instruction from 18-year-old Mariah Wallis.

“Okay, I want you to drop your tea bag and green mint into the cup,” says Mariah, a South Lake High School senior who dreams of opening her own bakery. “Then add honey and begin swirling with your spoon. The reason we’re having you make green tea is because it helps prevent stomach problems. Green tea is also good for your teeth because it fights cavities and bacteria.”

After drinking their tea, students walk into a 1,000-square-foot gymnasium where numerous yoga exercise mats cover the floor. Sara, who is the fitness instructor, orders the children to perform 10 jumping jacks and 10 push-ups.

“Okay, now lie on your mats.”

“Is it nap time?” a student asks.

“No, it’s relaxation time. I’m going to show you how to do the warrior pose. Lift your left leg and tuck it against your right leg. Then extend your arms with your palms facing the sun. This is a great exercise because it’s a total mind-body workout that increases your flexibility and strengthens your muscles.”

For Sara, the concept behind STEAMFIT originated while she served as director of a foster care program in Ocala. She dealt with children who were unable to read and displayed severe behavioral issues.

“Eventually, a program was started for those children that included culinary arts training, track and field, and martial arts. We immediately noticed a difference in their attitudes, self-esteem, and behavior.”

She felt children in South Lake County could benefit from a similar program.

Because children are often more receptive to people their own age, Sara invited teenagers to come to the facility and serve as mentors. In addition, she formed a partnership with South Lake High School to allow high school students to intern at STEAMFIT.

“Our children feel very much at ease around high school students because there’s not too much of an age difference,” Sara said. For high school students like Mariah, it’s a privilege to teach children how to make fun-yet-healthy snacks such as banana snowmen and Grinch kabobs.

“It’s exciting to teach kids culinary skills and also how to eat in a much healthier way,” Mariah said. “This is a nut-free facility, a dyefree facility, and an almost gluten-free facility.”

Jessica Cattle is equally excited about her role as STEAMFIT’s art instructor. A 2009 graduate of East Ridge High School, Jessica later attended the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota and is a commissioned artist specializing in printmaking. “My goal is to inspire and trigger their creativity,” Jessica said. “Exposure to the arts affects a child’s creative and academic growth in a positive way.”

STEAMFIT Academy is located at 307 N. U.S. Hwy. 27 in Minneola. For more information, please call 352.255.7350 or visit www.steamfi t.net.