Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, High Cholesterol and other ailments are no longer confined to adults. These are also the results of Childhood Obesity. Childhood Obesity is deadly and is projected to destroy thousands of lives in Houston in 2009. The American Obesity Association states, “Obesity in children and adolescents is a serious issue with many health and social consequences that often continue into adulthood. Implementing prevention programs and getting a better understanding of treatment for youngsters is important to controlling the obesity epidemic.”

“…obesity-related complications to translate into life-threatening events, including heart attacks and kidney failure”, said Dr. David Ludwig, director of an obesity clinic at Children’s Hospital Boston, Massachusetts.

Hope for Families, Inc. has stepped into the fight against Childhood Obesity by providing prevention research and educational programs for our Third Ward area children and their families. Our “Hope for Kids – Healthy Living Project” will begin in the Spring of 2009 at James Ryan Middle School. This will be a groundbreaking and important study for the youngsters survival against obesity’s deadly legacy in many families.

Hope for Families’ major fundraiser for the “Hope for Kids” project is the “Annual Holiday Spectacular Benefit” on December 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. featuring recording artists Glenn Jones, Terisa Griffin and Curtis Allen at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. These wonderful performers have decided to travel to Houston and provide great entertainment in support of the “Hope for Kids” project. Unfortunately, the artist alone cannot support the program without your assistance. We need the Good Hope MBC family and friends to purchase tickets to the event and donate with a spirit of love and good will for the project.

Purchase tickets or donate online at www.hopeforfamiliesinc.org or www.goodhope.tv. If you desire to become a sponsor contact Ken Rayford (Executive Director) or Carolyn Matthews (Chairperson) at 713.524.HOPE or krayford@hopeforfamiliesinc.org.

Here are some alarming facts about Childhood Obesity:

The need for healthy snack foods that kids love to eat comes at a time of unprecedented concern over children’s health. A recent report by the American Heart Association found that the arterial walls of children and teens who are obese or have high cholesterol are similar to that of an average 45-year-old. USA Today, in a June 2008 article, reported that 32% of all U.S. kids — 23 million children — are overweight.

Studies show…

* 77 percent of African American women are overweight or obese
* African American women are at “high-risk” of stroke, diabetes, coronary heart disease, end-stage renal disease, aches and joint pain due to shifting of the body frame in carrying too much weigh, and psychosocial effects and stigmas
* That African American women cited complications of hair care as the reason they do not exercise or exercise less than they would like.
* Among female youth, the highest overweight and obesity prevalence is found in black (non-Hispanic) girls (ages 6 to 11), 37.6 percent and 22.2 percent respectively, and black (non-Hispanic) adolescent females (ages 12 to 19), 45.5 percent and 26.6 percent respectively.
* Childhood obesity is thought to lead to the development of low self-esteem and other psychosocial problems
* Minority children are at greater risk for obesity suggesting that they might also be at greater risk for developing low self-esteem.

Steps to Help Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity
Home

* Reduce time spent watching television and in other sedentary behaviors
* Build physical activity into regular routines

Schools

* Ensure that the school breakfast and lunch programs meet nutrition standards
* Provide food options that are low in fat, calories, and added sugars
* Provide all children, from prekindergarten through grade 12, with quality daily physical education

Work

* Create more opportunities for physical activity at work sites

Community

* Promote healthier choices including at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and reasonable portion sizes
* Encourage the food industry to provide reasonable food and beverage portion sizes
* Encourage food outlets to increase the availability of low-calorie, nutritious food items
* Create opportunities for physical activity in communities