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Child Obesity is now considered a nationwide problem. Recognizing this the ABC School Board approved a resolution at its July 17 meeting creating a collaborative program to address childhood obesity in Hawaiian Gardens. with Tri City Regional Medical Center and the City of Hawaii Gardens
The program called “Activate Hawaiian Gardens, “will engage local school-age children, parents, caregivers, teachers, physicians and other community stakeholders in an obesity-reduction initiative.
Superintendent Dr. Mary Sieu said the goals of “Activate Hawaiian Gardens” include a collaborative effort of school and community leaders to reverse the problem of obesity among Hawaiian Gardens’ children.
Jay Geer, Tri City representative, told the Board that one-third of all U.S. adults and 17 percent of children are obese. In Hawaiian Gardens, he said the child obesity rate is 32.9 percent and climbing. “Obesity is now classified as a public health medical emergency in every community in the country,” he stated. “”The health effects of obesity can bring on premature death, diabetes, heart disease and overall health problems generation after generation.”
Geer noted the city has expanded exercise programs, improved on-site diet choices and encouraged more activity among children and youth. He also applauded ABC’s partnership with many national and local programs to address children obesity. However, he said no single effort works alone. Schools, home, community, childcare and health care delivery systems all need to integrate into a comprehensive continuum of care to achieve success. “Single solutions are ineffective.”
“There is a necessity to organize special educational programs for preschool and kindergarten kids. Special pilot programs with Aloha, Hawaiian, Melbourne, Furgeson and/or preschools, churches and afternoon programs will be formulated with the goal of reversing the “staggering” problem of obesity among Hawaiian Gardens children.
Dr. Sieu said “Activate Hawaiian Gardens” would be launched during the 2012-13 school year.”
For more information on the program contact Alexander Khananashvil at 562-303-110 or [email protected].
In other business the school bard approved an agreement with John Wesley County Hospital Institute, Inc. to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $350,000. The district’s portion of the grant will be $250,000.
The grant, if approved, the District will use its share of the grant to renovate and expand the Fedde International Academy’s Community Resource Center, adding three examination rooms, a waiting room, nurses station, lab and two offices for mental health counselors. Upon completion JWCH will provide primary pediatric care to members of the community. The Grant is part of the Health/Behavioral Health Center funded by the Mental Health Services Act.
The Board also approved a request to submit an application for the U.S. Center for Disease Control’s and a Small Community Transformation Grant in the amount of $1.3 million. Purpose of the Grant is to prevent heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases through a variety of community based policies, programs and interventions to promote healthier lifestyles. These include tobacco-free living, active living and healthy eating, quality clinical and preventative services, social and emotional wellness, and healthy and safe physical environment.
