Commitment to three course serving to address childhood obesity

Over the last 30 years, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents according to the Center for Disease Control. Obese children are at risk for numerous health problems and diseases, which in turn affects every aspect of life including academics.

Experts will share that there are many factors that can contribute to childhood obesity like bad eating habits, too much television and computer time, minimal physical activity and sugary drinks. One solution to combating this trend is health education at school, home, and in the community – a trifecta that will help teach children to make their own healthy decisions.

In Chula Vista, there is a commitment to inspire healthy lifestyle choices through education and action. With San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative’s 5210 Every Day!, a nationally recognized, evidence-based messaging campaign to encourage healthy eating and active living, leadership, schools, communities and families are coming together to help build sustainable community based strategies to support healthy weight.

In the Castle Park community of Chula Vista, child obesity ranked as one of the top concerns for parents.

“When we started working with parents in the community,” Chula Vista Promise Neighborhood Community Engagement Director Rachel Morineau said, “They shared two immediate areas of concern: low literacy scores and childhood obesity.”

At Castle Park Elementary, activity-oriented solutions continue to thrive for the whole family including walking clubs, on-site school food pantry, a robust school garden and an annual wellness fair.

The school’s annual wellness fair brings every age onto the campus for afternoon family filled event featuring an A-Z salad bar and interactive activities such as relay races, laughter yoga, obstacle courses and hula hoop exercise to name just a few. Teachers also focus their lesson plans on educational activities built around nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

The school event is community supported, along with Scripps and CVPromise, families are able to connect with resources and information from Family Health Centers of San Diego, South Bay Community Services, YMCA, City of Chula Vista Recreation, Feeding America and La Maestra Community Health Center and many others.

The 5210 Every Day! – provides simple suggestions for happier, healthier children and families. The steps are simple:
• 5 fruits and veggies daily.
• 2 hours or less of screen time per day.
• 1 hour minimum of physical activity every day.
• 0 sugary beverages.

For more information visit www.5210SanDiego.org

Chula Vista Promise Neighborhood (CVPromise) is coordinated by South Bay Community Services and is proud to partner with Castle Park Elementary, Castle Park Middle, Castle Park High School, Hilltop Middle and Hilltop High School to bring new opportunities and pathways of success for their students and families. For more information, please visit CVPromise.org or call 619-422-5005.