www.utmbstarchild.org
Volume No. 2, Issue No. 3
May 15, 2010

Ped-E-News for May 2010

Spanish version

Fit and Fun Program Fit N Fun program meets every Saturday, except for Memorial Day Saturday, May 29, at McGuire Dent Recreation Center, 27th and Seawall, Galveston, from 10-12. The goal of this program is to provide a resource for nutrition education and fitness for families wanting to improve their health and prevent childhood obesity. The program is supported in part by the diabetes prevention initiative which is funded by the Texas Legislature.  Medical student and college volunteers are leading the exercise program for the children aged 5-13 years, using the large outdoor area, the gym, and the racquet ball courts. There is no charge for the program for Galveston residents. The nutrition intervention covers topics such as my pyriamid, portion distortion, food labels, grocery store tour, fast food dilemmas, physical fitness, and living well with diabetes. Weekly weights are recorded. Adult family members exercise after each nutrition session. For more information call UT Community Outreach, 409-539-5387 or for families with children aged 5-13 register at McGuire Dent recreation center, 9:45, Saturday morning.
Meet Dr. David P. McCormick
David P. McCormick, M.D.	Dr. McCormick is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in the Divison of General Academic Pediatrics. He received his B.A. from Harvard University, his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College in New York, and completed his residency at the University of Minnesota Hospitals in Minneapolis. He took a fellowship in Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital immediately following his military service in the U.S. Navy. Dr. McCormick's current research interests are in the prevention of childhood obesity; and he is also participating in studies to improve the care of children with acute otitis media (ear infections).

Obesity and Children

(Article taken from the American Heart Association website.)

Childhood obesity is one of our nation’s leading health threats. Today nearly 1 in 3 children and teens in the U.S. are overweight or obese. The obesity epidemic is clearly taking its toll, as more and more kids are developing conditions and diseases typically associated with adults. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 3 individuals born in the year 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes. In vulnerable populations, that number increases to 1 in 2 individuals. If obesity among kids continues to increase, many believe this current generation of young people will become the first in American history to live shorter lives than their parents.

To combat this growing epidemic, the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation united in 2005 and formed the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California joined the Alliance in 2007and serves as a co-lead along with President Bill Clinton and Tim Gardner, MD, Immediate Past President of the American Heart Association.

The goal of the Alliance is to stop the nationwide increase in childhood obesity by 2010 and to take bold, innovative steps to help all children live longer and healthier lives. The Alliance is having a positive impact on the places that can make a difference to a child’s health: homes, schools, doctors’ offices and communities.

The Alliance is uniquely positioned to create change by combining the American Heart Association’s extensive reach into communities across the country, credible science expertise, strong presence in schools and nationwide network of volunteers and supporters with the entrepreneurial approach, powerful influence and innovation of the William J. Clinton Foundation.

To ensure that future generations won’t struggle with illnesses associated with poor food choices and lack of physical activity, the Alliance is taking preemptive measures against obesity by focusing on four key initiatives:

• The Healthy Schools Program
• Industry Initiative
• Healthcare Initiative
• empowerME Kids’ Movement

BAM: Body and Mind  

Click here for a wonderful website showing ways to encourage children to be active!

Reminder: Shot Records and Physical Exams for Playing Sports in School

Just a reminder that students who are planning to participate in sports during the upcoming school year should have their physical exams scheduled for this summer to avoid the rush near the end of August. Also new students or students that are moving to a new school will need their shot records. Please request these early!

For appointments or more information, please call (409) 772-3695.

Copyright 2009 The University of Texas Medical Branch.
Published by UTMB Department Pediatrics    •   Phone: (409) 772-5273  •   Fax: (409) 772-4599
301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas, 77555-0351  •  UTMB Maps & Directions