CPHC launches healthy eating program for children
Posted Nov 26, 2009 By Roy Lewis
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Aware of the increasing occurrence of childhood obesity and the associated health problems it can cause, Community and Primary Health Care has launched a $110,000 program in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville promoting healthy eating for children.
The multi-faceted Healthy Eating, Healthy Living Program, being sponsored by several agencies, will involve groups of youngsters from ages four to 12 which Community and Primary Health Care considers a critical period in their development. Youngsters participating in the program may take cooking classes, learn how to prepare healthy meals, visit regional farms where healthy food is produced, plant fruit and/or vegetables, go berry picking and even become involved in the promotion of healthy eating through exhibits at area fairs.
"Inactivity and inappropriate eating habits are the major causes of childhood obesity and can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease, which in the past were considered chronic diseases known only to adults," said Ruth Kitson, executive director of Community and Primary Health Care.
The problem has been exacerbated by the convenience of fast foods and pre-packaged foods, which are often chosen by busy parents. However, these foods are high in fat, cholesterol and calories.
"In our own communities of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, we estimate that within the next two years, an additional 10 per cent of our population will develop diabetes - many of them children," said Kitson when she spoke at a press conference Nov. 20 to unveil the program.
"The outcome of this program, to engage children in the healthy eating strategy, will include providing opportunities in preparing healthy, wholesome meals from natural, farm-grown products," said Kitson.
"Children will also experience visual and 'hands-on' learning about cultivating the evolution process of natural home/farm grown fruits and vegetables," she said.
Young people participating in the program will also gain increased awareness and will experience interactive learning, as well as have an opportunity to share their knowledge while encouraging healthy eating and living habits, according to Kitson.
Initially, the program is intended to target 1,900 youngsters but Kitson anticipates the effort will have some impact on all of the tri-county region's estimated 20,000 students in the targeted age group. The program is not intended to focus on just children who might have a pre-diabetes condition.
"We want to encourage proper eating habits while they are still healthy," she said.
Kitson had no problem getting several groups involved with the project noting that "children are our future."
To be administered by staff from several of the agencies involved in the project, the assistance of several volunteers will be utilized to supervised youngsters through the planned activities and the young people's parents can also play an active role. The entire project will be overseen by a steering committee composed of representatives from the various agencies involved and even some children.
"Children will quickly latch onto things while we often drag our feet," observed Kitson.
Funding sources
Funding for the program has been obtained from a variety of sources. The effort received a major boost of $48,000 from the Ministry of Health Promotion - Healthy Communities Fund. Susan Hreljac, adviser for the regional services branch of the Ministry of Health promotion, expressed her pleasure that so many partners had joined Community and Primary Health Care in promoting the program.
"It will provide the various participants to work with children, seniors and school boards," noted Hreljac.
In accepting the Ministry of Health Promotion's contribution to the program, Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman said the program is an "exciting step on the road for the good health of children." He also noted there was a side benefit to the effort.
"You have probably seen the signs in rural areas that say 'If you ate today thank a farmer.' This program will give youngsters the exposure to farms and farmers where food - proper food - is produced and I am sure that the folks in the regional agricultural community will appreciate that exposure," said Runciman.
Other funding for the program includes a $4,000 grant from the Ross W. McNeil Foundation and a $24,000 grant from the Champlain Local Health Integration Network Aging At Home Wellness Clinics. A further $34,000 in cash and donations-in-kind have been received from farmers participating in the program, the Upper Canada District School Board, the Lanark, Leeds and Grenville District Health Unit, the Every Kid In Our Community and Community and Primary Health Care.
Some components of the program have already been introduced to young people. Other activities will be introduced at various times until the completion of the program in March of 2011.
Among the planned activities will be farm visits by an estimated 700 children to learn about planting, cultivating and the evolution process of natural home/farm-grown fruits and vegetables. At least 50 children will also participate in a strawberry/raspberry picking day.
A minimum of 50 children will plant a fruit and/or vegetable garden to obtain a greater understanding of where fruits and vegetables come from and how they are grown in Ontario. To display their personal efforts and successes, children will have the opportunity to exhibit their fruit or produce at one of the regional agricultural fairs. Participation in this activity is expected to reach a target audience of over 10,000.
Healthy Eating Presentations and Wellness Clinics will also be conducted for the community-at-large to enable children to demonstrate the scope of their knowledge and understanding of healthy eating for both young people and adults. These presentations will include an audience of seniors 'aging at home.'
Educational workshops will be conducted with interactive learning through role playing, trivia, games and crafts.
Not every child will be participating in every planned project for it will depend on the number of volunteers which can be obtain to assist with the program, said Kitson. Children will contribute artwork, content and recipes for the creation of a Healthy Eating resource booklet that will be distributed to the approximately 20,000 children in the four-to-12 age group in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville.
"We are not expecting 100 per cent compliance from all the youngsters participating in the program but when you plant the seeds more can develop from the initial effort," she added.
