Childhood obesity

Posted at: 07/12/2012 7:43 PM | Updated at: 07/12/2012 7:46 PM
By: Allison Dorchik

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     One in three American kids is either overweight or obese. On the federal level, the "Collaborate for Healthy Weight" initiative aims to turn things around.

New York is joining that effort in a number of ways. One involves a five year grant that puts about $100,000 a year into the Capital Region. 

Kristopher and Keira Kohler are the kind of kids Dr. Janice Pride Boon loves to see. They eat their fruits and veggies. She doesn't have to change their eating habits, just reinforce them. Dr. Pride Boon works at Seton Pediatrics in Troy. It is one of 9 groups recently awarded a pediatric obesity prevention grant funded by the New York Department of Health. The money will be used to help doctors help their pint sized patients either stay or get trim and healthy. Dr. Pride-Boon targets sugar consumption.  

Boon says, "It tastes good and it feels good so there are a lot of rewards to eating sugar.Unfortunately, there are several side effects; the weight gain and heart disease that follows."

She also says kids are eating all the time, which means their bodies digestive system never gets a break, and that's not healthy.So she embraces another aspect of the Pediatric Obesity prevention program which encourages "5-2-1-0." This includes 5 fruits and veggies daily, 2 hours or less in front of a screen, 1 hour of exercise and no sugary beverages. It's also providing pedometers and silly bands to encourage the kids to make changes. 

Allison Tramontano is the project coordinator. She says, "We're targeting all providers. We're starting with low income because that's where the biggest issue is, but we're reaching every single office within these 8 counties."   

Tramontano also says, "doctors welcome the support, and are happy to integrate Veggie R-X. The program, about 6 months old aims to improve access and affordability for fresh produce." We're targeting all providers we're starting with low income cause that's where the biggest issue is but we're reaching every single office within these 8 counties   

The program also gives out veggie dollars, which can be spent at the areas 2 veggie mobiles.  The mobiles sell produce, most of it locally grown, at wholesale prices.  

Dr. Pride -Boon works at Seton Pediatrics in Troy - one of 9 groups recently awarded a pediatric obesity prevention grant funded by the new york department of health. The money will be used to help doctors help their pint sized patients either stay or get trim and healthy. Dr. Pride-Boon targets sugar consumption.