Empowering Healthy Kids Blog

My philosophy towards public health and social problems is to find work on the solution from the ground up. Start with the individual, then family, then local community, then state, then national. This is why I like this initiative - the solution is skewered towards the local community:

Picking up the phone may not be the best form of exercise, but the CanDo Coalition is hoping people will do it to help defeat obesity.

The local nonprofit organization is using an automated telephone survey to gather information on the health needs of Loveland residents, so the group can plan ways to help local residents eat better, get active and prevent obesity.

The CanDo Coalition began in 2003, Englert said, as a response to the obesity rate in Larimer County, which had doubled during the previous 10 years.

The founding organizations were the Poudre Valley Hospital Foundation, Colorado State University and the city of Fort Collins.

Over the past five years, the CanDo Coalition has worked with Fort Collins schools, employers, health care professionals, new mothers, low-income residents and older adults to improve residents’ health habits.

In the schools, CanDo created a “School Wellness Kit” for teachers and parents, to help them find ways to get children to eat healthier, exercise more and limit TV, computer and video-game time.

The coalition also has helped Fort Collins businesses start exercise, weight-management and stress-management programs.

The funding for the Loveland expansion came from LiveWell Colorado, a partnership of health care organizations, charitable foundations, nonprofit organizations and public health agencies.

NSW Government launches a pre-school programme:

Munch and Move is a fun, games-based program for NSW preschools.  It supports the healthy development of young children by promoting physical activity, healthy eating and reduced small screen time (TV, DVD, computers).

• Children will have the opportunity to engage in skills-based active play and learn about healthy choices through a range of learning experiences.
• Parent focused support materials, including fact sheets will provide simple tips and ideas for practising healthy, active behaviours at home .

The program is a joint initiative of the NSW Department of Health, the NSW Department of Community Services and The University of Sydney.

I stumbled upon a new initiative by New Zealand’s Ministry of Education called Fuelled 4 School:

Fuelled 4 School is about helping students be at their best all day, every day. We’re part of Mission-On, a campaign aimed at getting young New Zealanders to eat better and be more active.

This website is here to provide you with advice and support in making lifestyle choices that will help you achieve your goals – both in and out of school.

I like the design and it’s features such as txt updates and a link to their Bebo group.

As we discussed earlier, evidence is growing that genetics is an important factor in childhood obesity. New longitudinal research from Canada shows now shows a link between income and obesity:

The study suggested that the impact of a neighbourhood’s poverty level rather than affluence may matter most in a child’s weight. It is possible that neighbourhoods may become more important as children age and have more freedom to access the neighbourhood. It is also possible that disparities emerge over time, as children are exposed to such environments over a longer period.

This got me thinking. Why would families on low-income be more likely to overweight and obese? Perhaps it’s simple economics: A family will try to maximise the amount of energy intake for the least cost possible - in other words more calories per dollar. If you spend a greater proportion of money on food, then you are sensitive to this equation. Apparently, I’m not alone with this opinion:

Healthy eating really does cost more.

That’s what University of Washington researchers found when they compared the prices of 370 foods sold at supermarkets in the Seattle area. Calorie for calorie, junk foods not only cost less than fruits and vegetables, but junk food prices also are less likely to rise as a result of inflation. The findings, reported in the current issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, may help explain why the highest rates of obesity are seen among people in lower-income groups.

The scientists took an unusual approach, essentially comparing the price of a calorie in a junk food to one consumed in a healthier meal. Although fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients, they also contain relatively few calories. Foods with high energy density, meaning they pack the most calories per gram, included candy, pastries, baked goods and snacks.

The survey found that higher-calorie, energy-dense foods are the better bargain for cash-strapped shoppers. Energy-dense munchies cost on average $1.76 per 1,000 calories, compared with $18.16 per 1,000 calories for low-energy but nutritious foods.

The survey also showed that low-calorie foods were more likely to increase in price, surging 19.5 percent over the two-year study period. High-calorie foods remained a relative bargain, dropping in price by 1.8 percent.

Although people don’t knowingly shop for calories per se, the data show that it’s easier for low-income people to sustain themselves on junk food rather than fruits and vegetables, says the study’s lead author Adam Drewnowski, director of the center for public health nutrition at the University of Washington. Based on his findings, a 2,000-calorie diet would cost just $3.52 a day if it consisted of junk food, compared with $36.32 a day for a diet of low-energy dense foods. However, most people eat a mix of foods. The average American spends about $7 a day on food, although low-income people spend about $4, says Dr. Drewnowski.

A while back, I met the Health and Wellbeing Co-Ordinator at Clifton Hill Primary school who participates in the promoting healthy food (healthy canteeens, Free Fruit Fridays etc.). It seemed like an excellent programme and kids seemed to be responding well. Now, I’ve just read this:

A HEALTHY eating program run in almost 100 primary schools may have to be scrapped this year because of a lack of funding.

Just weeks out from the start of the school year, Nutrition Australia, which has run the Healthy Eating Schools program since 2005, is yet to secure a replacement sponsor for the $150,000- a-year program.

Last year’s corporate sponsor, the RACV, has pulled out, prompting Nutrition Australia to call on the State Government to step in.

Program manager Kelly Neville said 39,200 children participated in the program, which has led to a 30% drop in unhealthy items in some school canteens, while healthier canteen options have increased by 40%.

The Go For Your Life crew have created a “Free Fruit Friday” initiative:

Free Fruit Friday aims to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables for all Victorian government school students in years Prep – 2 by providing them with a variety of high quality, seasonal produce. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a vital part of every child’s life. There are many reasons to enjoy a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, including the provision of important vitamins and the prevention of disease.

(Thanks for the link David)

An interesting approach by HEAL (Healthy Eating, Active Living), a new community program based in Nashua:

The 5-2-1-0 program, implemented in the schools this year, teaches children to eat five vegetables and fruits a day, to limit screen time in front of a TV or computer to two hours or less, to participate in one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise and to drink no soda or sugar-sweetened sports and fruit drinks.

Energy Now! is now receiving grant application from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut:

EnergyNow! is a results-based grant program that will enable schools to combat the alarming trend of obesity in our children. With an emphasis on building physical education and nutrition education programs that are doable, sustainable and effective, EnergyNow! aims to energize 1,000,000 kids in 1,000 schools.

What differentiates EnergyNow! from other obesity prevention projects is its results-based, collaborative vision to provide schools with the critical resources and assessment tools needed to help children get healthier. It’s a program that will enable them to understand the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle while they are young and throughout adulthood.

I like the fact that it is results-based as we can evaluate the effectiveness of anti-obesity programmes and adjust and refine as necessary. More on the grants:

Schools will apply for EnergyNow! grants valued at more than $12,000. The grant recipients will receive:

• $2,500 to purchase PE equipment – Most schools have equipment budgets in the $500 – $1000 range. EnergyNow! grants will enable schools to purchase equipment based on their specific needs.
• Nutrition education lessons – The School Nutrition Foundation will provide a practical set of nutrition education lessons designed to connect the classroom and cafeteria to teach students a lifestyle approach to healthy eating based on actual food choices at home and school.
• 10 Polar E600 heart rate monitors, assessment technology and training - This equipment provides essential measurements and accountability so progress can be tracked. Polar trainers will provide training on the use of Polar technology for PE teachers and staff. Grant recipients will also receive pedometers.
• Training on NASPE standards – NASPE will provide training on its National Standards for Physical Education. Valid and reliable student data will also be collected to document the effects of the program.
• Information packets – These include details about becoming a part of the Alliance for A Healthier Generation’s program, resources available from the EnergyNow! partners, and information about various activities, contests and promotions available through EnergyNow!

Are you a non-profit, Victorian, sporting club? You may want to consider applying for VicHealth’s Active Club Grants 2007. Grants of up to $2,500 are available.

What will be funded?

• Sports Injury Prevention Equipment
• Essential Equipment/Items
• Volunteer and Club Training
• Portable Sun Shade

Who can apply?

Applications will only be accepted from clubs/organisations that facilitate or
organise community-based sport and active recreation opportunities as one of their
primary functions.
Eligible organisations:

• Sporting organisations (eg, local sporting clubs and regional sports leagues
• or associations).
• Local active recreation organisations (eg, walking clubs, dance groups).
• Organisations that have the facilitation or organisation of community sport and
• active recreation opportunities as one of their primary functions.

Organisations must:

• be not for profit;
• be incorporated;
• be based in Victoria;
• be applying for activities taking place in Victoria;
• have satisfactorily acquitted any previous grants that have been received from
• VicHealth; and
• present applications in accordance with published program timelines and
• processes.

This is a great initiative, so make sure that you take advantage of it! Entries close 3 December 2007. Please see VicHealth’s site for more info.

Spotted a new game to help kids learn about nutrition (similar to our goals for a The Miniscules project I was working on a while back).

It’s free to play and available here.

Also see the interview on Geek.com with Ray Baxter, PhD, the Vice President of Kaiser Permanente’s Community Benefit.