When it comes to childhood obesity, Dr. Kemia Sarraf can rattle
off a list of alarming statistics.
About 17 percent of children ages 6 through 17 are obese in
Illinois, while about 30 percent are considered overweight, she
said.
Weight-related illnesses traditionally associated with adulthood,
including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and Type 2
diabetes, are being diagnosed more and more in adolescents, a trend
Sarraf said she sees first-hand as an internal medicine physician in
Springfield."Childhood obesity has really reached epidemic
proportions. ... We have an entire generation of children that are
being improperly nourished in many circumstances," Sarraf said.
Though the research is clear, not everyone understands the scope
of the problem, she said.
So Sarraf is spearheading a group of medical and public health
professionals, educators, community leaders and parents to share
resources and ideas for the prevention and treatment of childhood
obesity.
Dubbed the Gen H (Generation Healthy) Coalition, the group aims
to create a comprehensive health program designed to encourage
physical activity and improve nutrition at local schools, as well as
educate parents about healthy food choices for their children.
"The idea is not to mandate anything but encourage changes,"
Sarraf said.
Tonight and Wednesday, Sarraf will lead a presentation and
discussion about childhood obesity, Gen H's goals and why the public
should get involved. The meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. both nights at
Glenwood Intermediate School.
"The thrust of this at this point in time is to just get as many
people who are interested in and working on this problem within
their specific realm to come together and bring their piece of the
solution puzzle to the table and then begin fitting in place," she
said.
Gen H will initially target pre-kindergarten through fifth grade
students, with the hope of expanding to more grade levels. Sarraf
said she hopes the coalition can eventually work with all schools
within the county.
The parent of a second grade student at Chatham Elementary School
and president of the school's parent-teacher organization, Sarraf
has already gained the support of the Ball-Chatham School District.
Last month, Sarraf gave a presentation to the district's pre-
kindergarten through fifth-grade staff about how healthy eating and
regular activity can help boost students' academic achievement.
"It was really inspiring to listen to somebody who is so
passionate about wanting to help guide teachers to encourage healthy
students, which will equal healthy minds," Chatham Elementary
Principal Kim Sepich said.
Since then, many of the district's elementary and intermediate
school staff have started evaluating their lunch menus and asking
that parents send healthy snack and lunch items to school such as
fruits, veggies, yogurt and granola bars.
"More and more, we have children who have a difficult time
focusing at school, and we can do something as simple as trying to
improve their diet," Sepich said. "The spikes that sugar can cause
with children, the highs and the lows really can be disruptive to a
child's day. For some children, it comes out being lethargic, and
for some, it's a lack of self-control and behavior issues. So,
there's so many reasons to want to pursue this."
Some elementary teachers have also implemented what's called a 10-
10-10 rule, in which students get 10 minutes of physical activity
three times during a school day.
At Glenwood Intermediate School, Principal Kerry Cox said some of
her teachers do calisthenics with their students before math class.
Others have their students take a short jog down the hallway before
a science test.
Both Cox and Sepich said the district's elementary and
intermediate schools also hope to modify their birthday treat
policies.
"Eventually, we want to move toward that birthday treat not being
that cupcake piled an inch high with icing. We know that's all a
tradition embedded in our thinking, but this is really the age where
we can start training children to have better decision-making,"
Sepich said.
Sarraf said the key is stop using food, particularly sweets and
junk food, as a reward for children.
She also hopes the coalition can create and expand existing
nutrition and activity programs that can be adapted to each
participating school's student body.
"Every school is different. That's why you want a whole coalition
of people working on this. Different schools have different
demographics and kids with different socioeconomic backgrounds. We
want to find solutions that meet the child, the school and the
family, rather than coming up with a program that everyone has to
conform to," she said.
Sarraf said financial, cultural and time considerations can
hinder a family's access to fresh, nutritious food, and she'd like
the coalition to address these barriers.
She also wants people to understand that even the best-
intentioned parents may not be aware of how harmful some of the
foods in their children's diets can be.
"The overwhelming amount of foods that are fast and easy and
convenient and that our kids like are unhealthy. It's not an issue
of bad parenting, it's just habit. So, we just need to create new
habits," Sarraf said.
- Amanda Reavy staff writer. She can be reached at 788-1525.
Want to go?
What: A one-hour presentation led by Dr. Kemia Sarraf of the Gen
H Coalition about the need for improved nutrition and increased
activity in children's lives.
Where: Glenwood Intermediate School, 465 Chatham Road
When: 6:30 p.m. tonight and Wednesday
More information: e-mail Sarraf at genh.sarraf@gmail.com
Obesity rising for U.S. children
More than 16 percent of U.S. children are obese, and obesity
rates for children have tripled since 1980.
Children and adolescents are developing obesity-related diseases,
such as Type 2 diabetes, that previously were only found in adults.
Obese children also are more likely to have risk factors for
cardiovascular disease, including high cholesterol levels, high
blood pressure and abnormal glucose tolerance.
A study of 5 through 17-year-olds found that 70 percent of obese
children had a least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease,
while 39 percent of obese children had at least two risk factors.
Source: Obesity - At a Glance 2009 by the National Center for
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
(C) 2009 The State Journal-Register Springfield, IL. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved