Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit (NEPMU) 5 hosted its 3rd annual health fair in collaboration with local Navy and civilian health partners Oct. 28.

The event was held at NEPMU 5 and participants represented civilians and Sailors from local commands. Vendors at the event included Fleet and Family Support Center, the San Diego Commissary, Massage Envy, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Fitness, Families OverComing Under Stress (FOCUS), Navy Federal Credit Union, Bombers Squad Boxing Academy, and the 32nd Street Branch Dental Clinic.

"Our goal is to inform our local Sailors and civilians on the importance of health and wellness every day," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian Richardson, NEPMU 5.

NEPMU 5 provided displays and information on tobacco cessation, suicide awareness, stress, obesity and nutrition, diabetes, and alcohol use.

"My favorite part of the fair is engaging and educating people on proper nutrition," said Petty Officer 1st Class Hayashi Morris, NEPMU 5 leading petty officer, Surveillance Division. "The most common problem we come across is people not knowing how to eat correctly. Here we can talk face-to-face with our own community and give them the tools to successfully meet their nutrition goals."

Information on meal preparation, proper food proportions, and the frequency with which people should eat was heavily emphasized by NEPMU 5 staff.

"This health fair helps meet the needs of the 21st century Sailor," said Petty Officer 1st Class Byron Hewitt, NEPMU 5 leading petty officer, Health Promotion Division. "We understand the challenges that today's Sailors face, and we are here to help them live a healthier lifestyle."

MWR was present, and led group high intensity interval training while promoting upcoming fitness events occurring on base.

"Our goal is to make sure all of our personnel understand and have access to our programs here on base," said Scott Delauruentis, MWR fitness instructor. "We are here to answer anyone's questions about nutrition, MWR classes, and are especially promoting the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling System (NOFFS).

"Letting people know what some of the resources that are out there to live a healthy lives is always good, because it shows that the Navy has an investment towards its people to be fit and ready to do the mission," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Leonardo Carbonel, NEPMU 5 senior enlisted leader. "The Navy operates and owns expensive machinery, but if you don't have healthy and resilient personnel to operate it then mission goes down, so we really have to take care the number one asset of the Navy -- it's people and health fair like that one we just had help in ensuring we have a ready and fit force to meet the challenges while in the Navy."

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For more news from Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, visit http://www.navy.mil/ or http://www.nepmu5.med.navy.mil/.