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Childhood obesity is
rising at alarming levels. We hear about it on the news and we see it
in our everyday lives. Our children are at risk for what used to be
adult-only diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
Being overweight at any age, but especially when young, has physical
as well as emotional consequences. "Georgia was named the 11th
most obese state in America according to the fifth annual ‘F as in
Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America 2008’ report from
the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation. To buck this trend, we have to create better food and
fitness habits for not only adults, but children too," said Kenya
Heard, program director for C.H.O.I.C.E.S. (Center Helping Obesity in
Children End Successfully, Inc.)
In 2002, Woodstock
resident Vanetta Keyes founded C.H.O.I.C.E.S in response to the
obesity epidemic. The mission is simple: To provide a parent and child
resource center for the clinically diagnosed and at-risk children of
obesity.
This month,
C.H.O.I.C.E.S will hold its fourth annual Children’s Nutrition
Education & Physical Activity Expo, which will be held on
Saturday, March 28 at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency (CRPA)
in Woodstock. This free fun-packed event will kick off with a 5K walk
at 8:30 a.m. Expo activities begin at 10 a.m., and include hourly
Easter egg hunts, cooking demonstrations and snacks, free health
screenings and much, much more!
Sponsors will provide
live demonstrations as well as interactive activities such as the
Atlanta Braves batting cages and Atlanta Hawks basketball drills.
Childhood obesity
doesn’t have to continue to plague our country and our future.
It’s time to take the first step! Visit the Expo on March 28, rain
or shine, and show your children how much fun becoming healthy can be!
The event wouldn’t be possible
without several key sponsors, whose comments are highlighted
throughout the article. For more information on C.H.O.I.C.E.S., please
visit www.choicesforkids.org or call (678) 819-3663.
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Current Programs
We Can!…Make
Healthy CHOICES — Six week family workshop series for all
ages. This program is usually held at World of Kids right here in
Woodstock.
CHOICES Summer Camps — One week day camps for
overweight children ages 12 to 16. These camps are usually held at The
Atlanta Medical Center in Atlanta.
Children’s Expo…On Wheels — One day onsite
learning event teaching fitness and nutrition for all ages. This
program goes to schools in Cherokee, Cobb, Fulton and Dekalb counties.
Sisters in
the L.I.T.E. (Lifestyle Intervention Teaching Exercises) —
Eight week program for overweight adolescent girls. This program is
usually held in Kennesaw, Atlanta and Decatur.
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choicesforkids.org
