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Preventing Childhood Obesity in Our Community |
Packard Pediatric Weight Control Program participants Austen, Stuart and Yves
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Only five to ten percent of body weight stands between an unhealthy, overweight child and a lighter, healthier life, less burdened by the lifelong health problems and diseases linked to obesity. Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital's Community Benefits function has combined our medical expertise with many partners to provide obesity prevention initiatives in communities proven to be most vulnerable to becoming overweight and underfit.
An Urgent Problem
A patient population that often seeks treatment only in an emergency is much less likely to consider a child’s overweight an issue that requires a visit to the doctor. Yet, with complications such as diabetes and high blood pressure, it is an urgent problem.
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The U.S. Surgeon General has declared overweight and obesity a national epidemic.
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In the U.S., 15 percent of children between the ages of six and 19 are overweight.
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In Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, roughly one out of four students in grades five through nine is overweight, and those numbers are increasing.
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Studies show that Hispanic and African-American children are more likely to be overweight and under-fit.
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Packard’s Partners in Preventing Obesity
- Healthy Silicon Valley
Healthy Silicon Valley targets the overweight epidemic by strengthening the ability of individuals to make healthy choices about diet and exercise. Packard Children’s contributed toward start up costs to help support this “Healthy Cities model” collaborative, which has energized the education, health care, government, recreation and other community sectors to push back against poor nutrition and inactive lifestyles.
- San Mateo County Health Disparities Summit
In May 2004, the San Mateo County Health Disparities Summit brought together more than 225 representatives from government, public health, educational, health system and community-based organizations. The team developed a framework to reduce health disadvantages, focusing on prevention of pediatric obesity as one of two focus areas. Packard Children’s Hospital actively participated in developing a work plan for all San Mateo County hospitals.
- Get Fit East Palo Alto
Get Fit EPA was formed in 2004 to encourage and direct community effort toward reducing the probability that at-risk and overweight children will become overweight adults. A multitiered effort
- Focuses first on school-aged children
- Inspires and educates positive changes in nutrition and physical activity
- Publicizes support organizations and opportunities
- Increases access to suitable physical fitness options
- Coordinates fundraising
Packard Children’s has joined with the Ravenswood Family Health Center, the Ravenswood City School District, the City of East Palo Alto, the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, New Perspectives, El Concilio and several other community organizations to start and sustain this effort.
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The Packard Pediatric Weight Control Program
The Packard Pediatric Weight Control Program is a family-based, behavioral and educational program designed to promote healthy eating and exercise habits for overweight children and their families. The program is offered at Packard Children’s Hospital and in the community. Financial aid is available for low-income families. Parents and children complete the program together.
Packard’s Pediatric Weight Control Program has been tested for eight years, with 80 percent of participating children losing weight. On average, they reduce the percentage that they are overweight by eight percent.
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Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
725 Welch Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
(650) 497-8000
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