Molina Healthcare and the Brownsville Independent School District Wellness Fitness Center have partnered up to host their first Healthy Hearts Zumbathon this Friday.
February is American Heart Month, and both organizations thought to host the event to spread the message about heart disease. Women Heart, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, reports that heart disease “is the number one killer of women and is responsible for one in three deaths in women annually.”
Since the disease affects many women and more women participate in Zumba than men, they thought the Zumbathon would be the perfect fit for the event. The Healthy Hearts Zumbathon is free and will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the BISD Wellness Fitness Center, behind Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville. All people ages 10 and up are welcome to attend.
BISD wellness coordinator Anisa Gonzalez said the district partnered with Molina Healthcare to do something to get people’s hearts healthy and keep them moving. To further encourage movement, the first 100 adults who arrive will receive a free pedometer. Molina Healthcare will be there to give guests free goody bags. Chick-fil-A from Morrison Road will also be there to hand out free water bottles.
Participants should expect more than just Zumba classes. Free glucose, blood pressure and A1C blood sugar screenings will be given from 5 to 6 p.m. Gonzalez said officials felt it was of upmost importance to offer blood pressure screenings to let the public know the importance of controlling their blood pressure. She said the A1C screening will check blood sugar levels and help monitor the levels of those living with diabetes.
Usually the BISD Wellness Fitness Center features its own Zumba instructors, but for this event the district chose instructors from throughout Brownsville.
“The different instructors will showcase their Zumba moves, their Zumba music and their Zumba spirit because every instructor has their own unique style,” Gonzalez said.
For more information call the BISD Wellness Fitness Center at (956)698-0194.
