Research shows that 1 in every 10 children are either overweight or obese and that 17 percent of all children are classified as obese. Furthermore, recent studies have shown the prevalence of obesity in U.S. children has tripled since 1980, indicating that the disease has hit epidemic levels.
Locally, Crawford County appears to be in worse shape than the country as a whole where childhood obesity is concerned. Recent statistical data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Health show that 40 percent of our county’s children are either overweight or obese.
Those astounding numbers set off loud alarms among a group of concerned citizens, who now call themselves the BEAM Initiative. BEAM, which stands for Balancing Eating and Movement in Meadville, is a collective group of health and community professionals working to reverse the trend of childhood obesity within four main modalities: 1. Environment; 2. Grocery Stores and Restaurants; 3. Schools; and 4. Community Engagement. Recently, the fourth element on this roster prompted the creation of a community collaborative program called Passport to a Healthier You.
Thanks to financial commitments from the Crawford Heritage Foundation, Meadville Medical Center, Allegheny College, the Lion’s Club of Meadville, and the Kiwanis Club of Meadville, BEAM will operate a three-month pilot of Passport to a Healthier You beginning on April 14th. The Passport program is designed to introduce lifestyle changes within children and their families that revolve around nutrition and physical activity. However, these lifestyle changes are integrated into fun activities that make it easy and desirable for adults and children alike.
The program involves recruiting up to 100 children and their families to participate in at least 12 events over the course of three months (April 14 through July 14). These events, which are currently existing endeavors in the Meadville area, focus on one of the two aspects of the Passport program: Understanding Your Food (nutrition) and Understanding Your Body (physical activity). As children and their families participate in these events, they receive credits that move them closer to special rewards. At the program’s grand finale on July 14, all children who earned 12 credits will be awarded fitness prizes which may include (but are not limited to) hula hoops, jump ropes, Frisbees and physical fitness treasures. Specific gifts have yet to be determined. As an incentive for the families to help support their child throughout the three months, the Passport program will provide a $25 gift card to a local grocery store as well as a tomato plant donated by Creative Landscapes. The hope is that the families will have learned how to shop for healthy foods and perhaps start their own vegetable garden.
Each child, along with their parent/guardian or entire family, will be required to attend at least three food-related events and three physical fitness-related events along with six other activities that count for credit in the program. The details are outlined in the “Passport” that each participant will receive upon signing up for the pilot program.
The goal of Passport to a Healthier You is to promote lifelong changes that need to take root within the family unit. Research has shown that children are very willing to participate in various activities and enjoy eating healthy foods; however, if their families are not supportive of such behaviors, the children will not maintain them over the long haul. Passport to a Healthier You intends to educate families on how their behaviors affect their children’s behaviors both now and in the future.
Participation in Passport to a Healthier You can be done starting April 14th at the Meadville Family YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day event held in Diamond Park from 9 a.m. until noon. Children and families attending will receive the Passport along with a packet of information describing the program and activities for the coming three months. The following list are “Passport Approved” programs that will count for credit over the three months:
April 14 9am-noon: Diamond Park Healthy Kids Day
- 2 credits for the Understanding Your Body (Fun Run participation & a Healthy Well-Visit by a health educator and/or provider
April 20 9am-noon: Crawford County Care Center Dairy Princess Event
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Food
April 21 3:30-5:30pm: Park Avenue Lanes Bowling with the Children’s Center
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Body
May 5 10am-noon: MARC Swimming with the Children’s Center
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Body
May 19 6pm: Giant Eagle Tour (choosing the healthiest options)
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Food
May 23 11am: Giant Eagle Tour (choosing the healthiest options)
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Food
May 28 8am: Diamond Park Human Race - Kids' Race and Nutritional Information
(*Last day for Passport registration)
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Food (stop by the nutritional booth)
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Body (participate in the race)
June 16 9-10:30am: Woodcock Dam Walk/Bike w/Children’s Center
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Body
June 23 9am: Colonel Crawford Park Youth Triathalon and Nutritional Information
(*May be associated fees)
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Food (stop by the nutritional booth)
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Body (participate in the race)
June 30 11am or 2pm: Tops Market Tour (choosing the healthiest options)
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Food
July 8 7:30am: Starts at Ernst Trail, Trail Blazer 15K/5K
(*May be associated fees)
- 1 credit for Understanding Your Body
Anytime during the three months: Recipe Contest & Food Journal
- 1 credit each for Understanding Your Food
July 14 10am-noon: YMCA Final Event/Awards/Recognition/Prizes
Other activities not listed may also count as Passport credits. Details will be presented at the time of registration.
For more information, search for us on Facebook by keying in Passport to a Healthier You – Meadville. Like us and get updates throughout the program.
Reference:
Ogden, C. & Carroll, M. (2010). Prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents: United States, trends 1963-1965 through 2007-2008. Retrieved March 30, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/obesity_child_07_08/obesity_child_07_08.htm.
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