Tuesday, November 30, 2010
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UHS receives grant to fight childhood obesity
UHS recently received a $75,000 grant from The Community Foundation for South Central New York - The Harriet Ford Dickenson Fund to implement a program to fight childhood obesity. This unique after school program called CATCH is evidenced-based and was originally funded and researched through the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. CATCH incorporates physical activities and nutrition education into after-school programs throughout Broome County. It is designed to be easy for staff to implement and is age appropriate for K-5.
UHS Stay Healthy will work with Broome Tioga BOCES, the YMCA, and Boys and Girls Club of Binghamton, the Binghamton Housing Authority and WSKG to implement a train the trainer program. A national trainer will teach UHS after-school coordinators how to implement the curriculum. Each after-school program site will receive a tool kit and a day long training where they will learn the “how-to’s” of implementing the CATCH program. Additionally, AmeriCorps volunteers will be available to help implementation process.
Obesity is a public health epidemic. In Broome County students in grades 9-11 revealed that 24.7% are either overweight or obese. Obesity leads to heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. One health care official recently stated that “this may be the first generation ever that will not outlive their parents.”
Teaching children concepts of portion control and energy balance in fun, creative activities, engages them in making healthy choices. Engaging children at an early age to make healthy choices allows them to live healthier lifestyles. CATCH, with its history of success can make a great impact on our community and UHS in conjunction with The Community Foundation for South Central New York - The Harriet Ford Dickenson Fund is proud to bring this to the community.
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