HEALTH COMMITTEE NEWS
December 6, 2010
Family Health Initiative
Chairperson: Bonnie Bradley, All Kids, 205-558-2106
Committee Members: Annah Grace Morgan, Aubrey Miller, Bonnie Bradley, Candy Palmer,
Janice Cooke, Jennifer Dutton, Joseph Mitchell, Lane Vines, Lisa Smaha, Lori Senn, Rachel Mathisen, Maureen Alexander, Meagan Stewart, Sharon Hammer, Diane Daffron
The Health Committee is working on a new childhood obesity initiative, called Be Healthy! Be Happy! This project will target middle school youth with identified problems related to obesity. This program will involve every member of the family in an intensified curriculum of regular exercise, healthy meal planning/preparation and education on living a healthy lifestyle. Participants will attend three months of weekly classes involving structured exercise, healthy meal preparation and education and monitoring of vital statistics such as weight, blood pressure, and blood glucose.
The specific aims of the project are:
(1) education and healthy lifestyle planning for at-risk youth
(2) reduction of risks for type II diabetes and related health problems
(3) tracking of health markers for at-risk families
(4) reaching family goals of healthy eating habits and exercise ultimately leading to weight loss with continued maintenance of appropriate weight over a lifetime
We are planning for an early Spring launching of the program with an invitation for families to participate from the community but with special referrals from local pediatricians of at-risk youth and their families. Weekly classes will be held at Jefferson State – Shelby Campus from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. with continued monthly updates and check-ins for family progress and vital signs.
We have many partners in this project:
Children’s Policy Council Health Committee
Jefferson State – Shelby Campus
Shelby Co. Board of Education
University of Montevallo
Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES)
Alabama Dept. of Public Health
Leadership Shelby County, Class of 2010
Diabetes Association of Alabama
Juvenile Diabetes Association of Alabama
YMCA of Shelby County
Submitted by: Barbara Williams, MA 205-669-3831
