Beginning this month, Catalina Island residents will have a new way to live a healthier lifestyle. The Catalina Cholesterol Challenge kicks off with a luncheon on Friday, May 16.

Sponsored by the Catalina Island Medical Center, the six-month program will offer education, encouragement and support to use diet and exercise to help address cholesterol levels.

The May 16 luncheon will feature a low-cholesterol meal designed by Catalina Country Club Executive Chef Kathleen Bombard.

"The Catalina Country Club has been an enthusiastic partner in the challenge from the beginning," said Bryan Ballard, the Medical Center's CEO. "It's great to see the opportunity for this partnership with one of the premier restaurants in our community to work with us and the community to help address a health issue that many of us experience."

In addition to low cholesterol cuisine, the luncheon will also feature a program on lowering cholesterol through diet by Catalina Island Medical Center's nutrition consultants, Nutrition Ink.

Reservations are highly recommended for the lunch, which will be $12. Reservations may be made by calling Michelle Jaeger at (310) 510-0700, ext. 21.

"At the health fair, many people found out that their cholesterol was too high," Ballard said. "Through the Catalina Cholesterol Challenge we hope to give them the tools to address what can be a deadly health concern."

For those who suspect that their cholesterol may be high, but did not have it checked at the health fair, the Catalina Island Medical Center will be offering $10 cholesterol screenings from 10 a.m. to noon May 16 at the Country Club. Fasting is highly recommended for the screening, which offers total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels in about 10 minutes.

Throughout the course of the Challenge, the Country Club will also be offering several other programs to tempt participants' palates with the culinary possibilities of low-cholesterol dining.

Several exercise programs will also be offered during the Challenge, including three educational walks with the Catalina Island Museum.

"We're excited about the opportunity to share island history while encouraging a healthy lifestyle," said Catalina Island Museum Executive Director Stacey Otte. "We're pleased to partner with the medical center on this new community outreach endeavor."

Other organizations have also expressed an interest in offering educational walks during the Catalina Cholesterol Challenge and additional exercise programs are being developed.

"This program offers an excellent opportunity for the community to get involved with getting healthy," Ballard said. "Addressing cholesterol levels is a significant step that nearly everyone can take to live a longer, healthier life."