Fighting Childhood Obesity
Teenagers living in poverty have grown fatter at a higher rate than their peers, about 50 percent higher in poor as compared to non-poor families.1
Supporting Statistic
- The prevalence of obesity has doubled in the past 25 years in the United States . About 60 percent of the US population are overweight or obese, with one in three obese.2
Growing up healthy
A new partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Children’s Hospital Boston, United Way of Massachusetts Bay , and local fitness expert Brandy Cruthird of “Body By Brandy” seeks to offer an innovative new way to tackle childhood obesity and health-related illnesses through a first-of-its-kind “kids gym” in Roxbury.
Body By Brandy 4 Kidz is designed to make fitness fun. It features a rock climbing wall, a boxing program, game bikes, dance revolution pads, cardiovascular equipment, sport wall and a health and science computer lab. But here’s the twist: the gym is the first facility in Boston where health care providers can formally refer young people who are diagnosed as being overweight and then receive reports that track the child’s progress toward their fitness goals. For several hours six days a week, Body By Brandy 4 Kidz will be open free of charge to young people who are referred from Children’s Hospital’s weight management programs, as well as from seven community health centers participating in Children’s Hospital’s “Fitness in the City” collaboration.
Already gaining national attention, this entrepreneurial model provides a way for more kids to participate in fitness programs that will promote a healthy lifestyle.
The benefits? Prevention versus intervention is less costly. The healthier a child, the less the potential for costly health care intervention later.
2 Reuters, Youth obesity risk called highest among Latinos, June 6, 2006.