New York Times Article: Health Sector Tackles Childhood Obesity

The percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate, with 1 out of 3 kids now considered overweight or obese.

It's a stark statistic that has parents, educators, public health officials and policy makers scrambling to find ways to empower this next generation of young people to take control of their own future by teaching them how to eat healthfully, remain active and find a healthy weight that allows them to thrive and have a good quality of life.

Yesterday the New York Times published an article "Learning To Be Lean" by Reed Abelson highlighting how new federal health care laws are requiring more accountability from the companies and programs who work with young people (like their health insurers and employers) to screen for weight issues and provide preventative counseling. One of the interesting things that the article points out is the unique challenges that overweight children encounter:

"Children are still growing, and the goal of any program may be to help them grow into a healthier weight rather than to actually lose pounds. Experts also say that to be successful, programs need to focus on the family as a whole, changing what everybody eats and how much time they are all active, not sitting in front of a computer screen or television."

Several HCZ programs including the Health Living Initiative and Educated Eaters Project take on these issues and we're actually currently working to improve and expand the reach of our healthy eating, active living focus. What programs have you participated in? What have you found to be helpful interventions or preventative efforts in your own life or the lives of those you love?

Food Art

Thank you to Ms. Porco (art teacher for Promise 1 upper elementary) for the beautiful art work. This painting was created by 28 students to form 1 incredible piece of art. This painting is inspired by Andy Warhols 1968 Campbells Soup painting.

Andrew Warhola (August 6, 1928 – February 22, 1987), known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art.

Thank you again.

It's A New Year, and it's time for a New You!

As 2012 get's started, many of us around HCZ are thinking more and more about how we can live healthier lives by being more active and eating well. We're renewing our commitment to making the Zone a model of community wellness and we're getting everyone--from Baby College to our senior staff--involved.

Throughout this year we'll be posting simple nutrition tips that connect back to the new "My Plate" graphic which was put out last year to replace the old food pyramid. What we love about my plate is how simple and visual it is. Basically (as you can see) it's a picture of a plate filled with half fruits and vegetables and half grains and protein. Then you've got your dairy. Along with the picture of how to build a healthy plate the USDA put out some great tips for eating better that we'll also be focusing on here on the blog, on bulletin boards throughout the Zone, in the classroom and in Professional Development for our staff. You can find out exactly how many calories you need and see the full nutrition education series of tips by visiting www.choosemyplate.gov


Beyond healthy eating, physical activity is a key part of living a healthy life. This year we'll be featuring many of our programs that promote physical fitness around the Zone and also highlighting community members who are setting an example for all of us by making changes and getting active. From the Harlem Armory to the Get Fit Challenge to our Physical Education Classes at Promise Academy, we know this is one area where we've got to keep moving and pushing ourselves and each other!

So, take the stairs! Eat a piece of fruit as a snack! Celebrate those around you when you see them making healthy choices! Sign up for a cooking class, go try Zoomba at the Armory or come volunteer in our school garden. Together we can transform our community and our neighborhood into a national model for how to reverse the trend toward obesity and improve the quality of life for the next generation that we're working so hard to educate!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Good morning and welcome back to School. We hope everyone had a safe holiday season. Many of us make new years resolutions, please share yours.

The story of the four little characters, Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw, who make their way through a maze looking for the "Magical Cheese" that makes them happy. And once they find the Cheese, it seems like it will last forever-until one morning when everything changes. Who moved their Cheese? Will it come back? Or will they have to look for different Cheese, venturing onto strange paths, around corners they've never explored?

This book is part of a book club in the 5 and 6th grades for Promise. The book was funny to read and showed different personality traits. Obviously the fact that its about cheese peeked my interest even more. My favorite characters were Sniff and Scurry, because of their no fear approach and focus on the end result.

The next book is The Three Questions. Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy.

Thank you 5th and 6th graders for including the Kitchen Team to read along with you.