We Can! Program Takes Aim at Childhood Obesity

We Can! Program Takes Aim at Childhood Obesity
THURSDAY, Nov. 29 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. National Institutes ofHealth and the Association of Children's Museums are teaming up on aprogram to combat the obesity epidemic among America's children.
The program -- called We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity andNutrition) -- was introduced Thursday in Boston, Las Vegas and Pittsburgh,which have been designated as We Can! cities.
Other We Can! communities include Armstrong County, Pa.; Carson City,Nev.; Gary, Ind.; South Bend, Ind.; and Roswell, Ga.
"I am really confident that this partnership among the federalgovernment, the We Can! program, the Association of Children's Museums andcivic organizations is ultimately going to lead to healthier children inthe United States, healthier families and better health-care outcomes foreverybody," acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Admiral Dr. Steven K. Galsonsaid during an afternoon teleconference.
Dr. Elias Zerhouni, director of the National Institutes of Health, saidchildhood obesity has reached "crisis" proportions.
"We are facing a crisis, and we must find ways to change the tide thatis facing us and affecting our children," Zerhouni said during theteleconference.
There are more than 12.5 million overweight children and teens in theUnited States. Galson said obesity is a big contributor to such childhoodhealth problems as high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and asthma.
"Chronic diseases cause seven out of 10 deaths," Galson said. "And thecosts are staggering."
Galson noted that portion sizes have increased while life in Americahas become more sedentary. "Our kids are growing up with unhealthylifestyles, the consequences of which could be with them for the rest oftheir lives," he said.
"Reversing this epidemic does not have one answer," he added. "It'sgoing to take a concerted action by all of us. We need to focus ouractivities on prevention -- on what we can do today."
We Can! can be a model for overcoming the challenges of childhoodobesity and overweight, Galson said. "Its partnerships are demonstratinghow physical activity and sound lifestyle choices can make a differenceand how communities can work together to make those lifestyle choicesreal," he said.
We Can! is an education program to help children aged 8 to 13 years oldto maintain a healthy weight. It's being implemented in more than 450communities in 44 states.
Zerhouni said getting kids away from the TV and the computer is key toimproving their health. Increased activity, better food choices andsmaller portions complete the arsenal for fighting the obesity epidemic,he said.
The three new We Can! cities announced Thursday are introducing theprogram to city employees, community groups, corporate wellness programs,health professionals and schools.
While improvement in childhood obesity is vital, the results may not beseen for decades, Galson said.
"It's a national necessity with profound implications -- we all have astake in the outcome," he said. "The result may not be apparent for manyyears, but it's going to be a fitter, healthier, more physically activenation in which the epidemic of childhood obesity slows down."
In addition to the Association of Children's Museums, 40 national andcorporate partners are starting We Can! programs in community centers,schools, health-care settings, corporate wellness programs and faith-basedorganizations, officials said.
A study this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control andPrevention found that after increasing for the last 25 years, theprevalence of obesity among adults has not risen in the past few years.Still, 34 percent of Americans aged 20 and older are obese.
"In view of these alarmingly high rates of obesity in all populationgroups, [the] CDC has made the prevention of obesity one of its top publichealth priorities," Janet Collins, director of CDC's National Center forChronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, said in a preparedstatement. "We are actively working in partnership with state and localpublic health agencies, the nation's schools, community organizations,businesses, medical systems and faith communities to promote and supporthealthy eating, physical activity and healthy weight."
More information
To learn more about the We Can! program, visit the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.