With alarming statistics regarding the health of the nation's children -- and the obesity epidemic at the root of those problems -- some folks here have decided to take action.
The Southeast Culinary and Hospitality College of Bristol, Va., announced the formation of the Community Hospitality Outreach Program, or CHOP, on Monday. The program is designed to help fight childhood obesity, aid nutrition, assist local citizens in job training and offer hunger programs, said Chef Richard Erskine in a written statement.
The program is a partnership with area school systems -- many of which have cut physical education classes down to once per week -- the YMCA, the YWCA and a host of other health groups that will support healthier environments in the community, schools and at home, Erskine said.
"The partnership hopes to have a major role in children's ability to be physically active and make sound nutrition choices. The more broadly we can get our community to adopt wellness, the more those social norms are conductive to healthy choices and behaviors," Erskine said.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, 19 percent of all children, ages 6 to 11, were obese in 2004, compared to just 4 percent in 1971. On the whole, the department says, 32 percent of those younger than 18 are overweight and 90 percent of those children have at least one risk factor for heart disease.
CHOP will work to encourage more local production of healthy food by local farmers and partner with local extension agents to market healthy products in low-income neighborhoods. The program also will start a summer food program and teach after-school classes.
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Copyright (C) 2009, Bristol Herald Courier, Va.