In September and October, more than 70 U.S. cities will host a "Walk from Obesity" event to raise both awareness and money for the fight against obesity.

"In 2007, the Walk raised more than $750,000 to support the ASMBS Foundation and its research and professional education initiatives, and the patient and general public educational and advocacy programs the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC). To date, the Walk has provided nearly 2.3 million dollars in overall support."

Walks are happening in cities throughout the nation. Individuals who are interested in participating or supporting walkers can find more information at www.walkfromobesity.com. Source: PR Newswire

Labels: advocacy, community, walking

The Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition (MoCAN) recently revised its voluntary nutrition guidelines for public schools, and is now asking the public to weigh in on the Missouri Eat Smart Guidelines.

"MoCAN's first set of school nutrition guidelines, published in 2005, outlined three levels of nutrition standards for schools: minimum, intermediate and advanced. The revised guidelines add a fourth category, the exemplary level, as a higher standard for school nutrition."

The public is invited to comment on the guidelines through August, at which time MoCAN will review all submissions. The final draft of the recommendations will be released in September. Source: EMaxHealth

Labels: community, nutrition, schools

BodyWorks, was launched by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health in 2006. The program trains instructors on health and fitness, with the goal that these instructors will the information back to their communities and start local programs.

"Girls 9 to 13 years old who are overweight or obese are referred to BodyWorks through their pediatrician, or by word of mouth. Parents and caregivers attend 10 weekly 90-minute sessions, and girls are expected to show up for at least three. The goal is to give parents and caregivers 'hands-on tools to make small behavior changes to prevent obesity and help maintain a healthier weight.'"

Though local communities have to pay for trainers and facilities, the training materials are provided free of charge through the DHSS. There are currently 1,700 BodyWorks instructors in 43 states, and about 700 parents and caregivers have also completed the program. Source: Daily Times

Labels: community, fitness, health

On July 5, bicyclists in central Minnesota set out in an attempt to break the Guinness record for the world's largest bike parade. The event is being organized by BLEND (Better Living: Exercise and Nutrition Daily).

"Bicyclists gathered Saturday afternoon at Whitney Park in St. Cloud for a 2-mile ride. Organizers say they will document the attempt and have it submitted to Guinness World Records.... and it's all part of the effort to combat childhood obesity."

The current bike parade record is 2,152, set earlier this year in Taiwan. Organizers of the July 5 event are hoping for more than 2,500 participants. Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Labels: community, exercise

The Lawrence Township School Foundation was recently presented with a "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future Champion Award" in recognition of its My Community Gets Healthy (MCGH) program. The award, which was presented by acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, recognizes programs that address childhood obesity by helping kids stay active.

"My Community Gets Healthy is a comprehensive, sustainable fitness and wellness program that has expanded into all Lawrence Township public schools. MCGH involves fitness instruction during and after school and also incorporates wellness instruction for families."

More than 700 students participated in MCGH's afterschool program, Up and Running. The students trained three days a week, with a goal of participating in a 5K or half-marathon run. Source: IndyStar

Labels: community, prevention

Researchers have found that communities with an abundance of fast-food and convenience stores have much higher rates of obesity and diabetes.

"Dr. Francine Kaufman, one of the nation's leading childhood diabetes experts, said the new research demonstrates that staying healthy is not simply a matter of personal responsibility."

Dr. Kaufman works with programs that help small neighborhood markets buy refrigerators so they can sell fresh produce. Source: Detroit News

Labels: community, fast_food, junk_food

Childhood obesity is a complex problem that can't be fixed overnight or by just one group of people. We can't look only to schools or parents or the children themselves. It's going to take everyone working together to solve this problem.

"Some may argue that it is the individual's choice as to what they eat, how they exercise, and if they put themselves at greater risk for co-morbidity of obesity. However, children are products of our environment and reflect the habits that we teach them."

Similarly, all responsibility can't rest with the parents, because kids spend a significant time away from their homes. Schools need to support parents' efforts to teach their kids healthy eating and exercise habits. Source: The Ellsworth American

Labels: community, responsibility, schools

The federal program We Can! recently expanded to three major US cities, in a continued effort to combat childhood obesity. The program has seen promising results, which most attribute to parental involvement.

"Previous childhood obesity programs at her NIH agency, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, didn't include parents as mush, so the message didn't stick as well, said Karen Donato, We Can! program manager."

By committing to a We Can! program, a community agrees to host a specific number of promotional events. A total of 450 communities in 44 states are currently enrolled in the program.

Labels: community, federal_programs, parents

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, based in Princeton, New Jersey, has committed $500 million to reversing the effects of childhood obesity. The foundation has announced that it hopes to reach this goal by the year 2015.

"If we don't act to reverse this alarming trend, we're in danger of raising the first generation of American children who will live sicker and die younger than the generation before them. Preventing obesity during childhood is critical, because habits that last into adulthood frequently are formed during youth."

The RWJ Foundation will take a three-pronged approach to the fight against obesity; building an evidence base, encouraging action in communities and schools, and advocating for the prevention of childhood obesity.

Read more at RWJF.org.

Labels: advocacy, community, schools

Shape Up Sommerville is an intervention program which was designed by researchers from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. The program aggressively redesigned school curriculum and after-school activities in an attempt to curb weight gain among school children.

"A key element of the intervention was the work done in collaboration with Sommerville schools. [Christina] Economos and her team planned and implemented a range of initiatives designed to provide and promote healthy eating options and physical activity."

Included in the initiatives were a redesigned school food program that included healthier meals and snacks, after-school curriculum that included creative cooking and cooperative games, and in-class curriculum that included weekly nutrition and physical activity lessons. Read more at News-Medical.net.

Labels: community, education, events

The Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Institute) has launched a one-year technical assistance initiative that will assist six U.S. cities in promoting community wellness and combating childhood obesity. Each city has developed a leadership team comprised of both city and school district staff.

"The one-year technical assistance initiative will provide municipal and school leaders with peer learning opportunities and consultation with national experts in the areas of local wellness policies, childhood obesity, healthy eating, active living and school health councils."

In April, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced that it was committing $500 million over the next five years toward combating childhood obesity. As childhood obesity has become a greater concern nationwide, local wellness policies have attracted the attention of major foundations and of Congress. Read more at NLC.org.

Labels: awareness, community, wellness