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Over 170 Youth Walk

Dolton. IL - The 2003 Walk for Children’s Health was a complete success, with over 170 youth participants, approximately 30 adult volunteers and representatives from the more than 17 sponsors, supporters and partners.

Participants in the Sept. 13 three-mile-walk stepped off at 31st Street along the Lake Shore Drive Bike Path, continued to 47th street and ended at the starting point. Helping families fight obesity among youth through nutrition education and physical fitness was the focus of the event, which was presented by the Healthcare Consortium of Illinois, (HCI), a community-based Integrated health and social service organIzation with a diverse membership representing all facets of the health and human service disciplines.

The fun-filled event was followed by a celebration with healthy food, games, prizes and entertainment. The Walk’s premier sponsor was Co-Op Markets. Additional sponsors partners, and supporters were: F.O.R.U.M. (Fulfilling Our Responsibility Unto Mankind); Chicago Public Schools; Cingular Wireless; CLOCC, (Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children); Georgia Doty Health Education Fund; Illinois Maternal & Child Health Coalition; Jewel-Osco; KidCare; Kinko’s (Hyde Park); Management Planning Agency; March of Dimes; Propaganda T -Shirt Design; Pro*1 Fitness Water; Pullman Bank; South Shore Hospital; University of Chicago - Cancer Research Center; Chicago Family Health Center; La Rabida Children’s Hospital and Human Resources Development Institute.

Before and after the Walk, representatives from it’s sponsors, supporters and partners were on-site verbally encouraging the youth to live healthy lifestyles and distributed an abundance of information on nutrition and exercise.

Health authorities report that chIldhood obesity is on the rise, with 5-25% of youth in the US currently overweIght. And for the past several years doctors have reported an increase in conditions and diseases’ resulting from obesity to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS] state .

The reports reveal that the fastest rising public health problem in the US is obesity, second only to tobacco use. Over the last two decades the percentage of overweight children has almost doubled and the percentage of overweight adolescents has almost tripled. Currently, In the US, 13% of children 6 to 11 years of age and 14% of teens 12 to 19 years of age are categorized as overweight, (NCHS, CDC 2001; USDHHS, 2000).

Further national studies show that obesity Is the leading cause of pediatric hypertension and is associated with Type II diabetes mellitus. An increased risk of coronary heart disease In children and stress on weight-bearing joints are also attributed to carrying too much weight and obese children also have a higher risk to develop Cancer.

Studies show that social and psychological problems such as low self-esteem and negative affects on peer relationships are also significant consequences associated with childhood obesity.

HCI officials say obesity can be prevented by encouraging chIldren to increase their physical activity, learn the benefits of good nutrition and adopt healthier lifestyles and behaviors.

According to George R. Smith, Jr., Director of HCI’s OffIce of Community Health, chIldhood obesIty Is a public health epidemic that has both genetic and environment causes. If a chIld is obese between the ages If 10-13, they have an 80% chance of becoming an obese adult, he explained. Obese adults have higher percentages of pancreatitus, hypertension, cardio-vascular disease and diabetes.

Our goal is to educate chIldren, as well as their parents on how to achieve an ideal weight, which can help to prolong their life,.

Smith said. .Many Illnesses are caused by diet and lack of exercise. We’re bringing to the forefront that chIldren should eat healthier foods, which Includes five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and to educate parents that its not always necessary that a chIld clean their plate. The most important things are that parents must take control of what food comes Into the house and to turn the television off and encourage their chIldren to become more active.”

ChIldhood obesity has long-term and detrimental impact on health said Aid. Toni Preckwinckle of the 4th Ward, (the location of the Walk).

“I am grateful that HCI and the sponsors of this year’s walk are attempting to draw attention to this issue that is having an effect on young people in our city,” she said. “I was glad to see so many young people participate and I hope that they wIll continue to be active and not just sit home in front of their televisions or on the couch with their Gameboys. This walk is an excellent way to get the message of good health across to our youth.

Marrion Batey, Membership Director of the Walk’s premier sponsor, Co-Op Markets, a chain of community owned stores located on the city’s South side, said their 47th street location has an entire health food section and that they have a health education department that teaches nutrition. A call-in line to get more information about the health foods sold at their stores has also been established, she said.

We cherish our chIldren and care about their health,” Batey said. “Whole health is one of the principles of the Co-Op and we want them to be aware of how important eating healthy is to maintaining a healthy body and mind.

Don Doty, president of the Georgia Doty Health Education Fund, (also a sponsor) - an organization dedicated to informing communities of color on Hepatitis, oral health and respiratory diseases, commended HCI and Its other sponsors, supporters and partners for promoting awareness to the minority community on the Issues surrounding obesity and poor nutrition.

.Our youth must become educated to alternative lifestyles and understanding of their health,” he said. “I regret that physical education Is not a requirement in the school system and I think that’s because of the parents attitudes about nutrition, which is passed on to the child.”

According to Janine Lewis of the March of Dimes, (a Walk sponsor), pregnant women who are obese are at high risk for giving birth to pre-mature babies. And while the March of Dimes’ “Salute to Babies. prematurely campaign has been haIled for their education and prevention efforts regarding expectant obese mothers, La Rabida ChIldren’s Hospital’s FamIly Nutrition Education Program has received much acclaim from famIlies across the City who want their chIldren to begin eating and exercising properly at early ages. La Rabida even offers free nutrition classes at their facIlity to empower familIes who want to learn how to eat healthier.

We work hard at spreading the word to children about healthy eating so that they will carry it out for the rest of their lives,” said Gloria Johnson, a La Rabida Pier educator.

For post Information on the 2003 Walk for Children’s Health or upcoming health education events, contact the Healthcare Consortium of Illinois at (708) 841-9515.

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