Action Team for Healthier Kids

In August 2004, the West Cook YMCA in Oak Park invited community leaders to come to the Y to work on developing a community action plan to address the related issues of obesity and early-onset type II diabetes in children.

THE FACTS
According to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia:
- In 2002, 14 percent of children age six through 19 were severely overweight.
- In 1974, 4 percent of children age six through 19 were severely overweight.
- Nearly 30 percent of American youth under age 18 are overweight or obese, and early onset diabetes     has increased 300 percent in the past 30 years.
- Type II Diabetes has increased 350% in the past 30 years.

West Cook YMCA in Oak Park Senior Program Executive Barbara Usmial, MS, Master of Exercise Science, states, “We have been reading so much about the effects of obesity on children.  Research is giving us a look into the future for our children.  As far back as 2000 they were telling us that one in three children born in the US that year were destined to develop diabetes if we followed the trend in overeating and inactivity.  If we do not heed their warnings now, the costs will be tremendous both to quality of life and to our healthcare system.”
 

THE TEAM
The statistics for skyrocketing incidence of obesity and type II diabetes among American youth are grim, and have prompted health professionals to coin the term “diabesity” referring to the growing problematic trend.  In August 2004, the West Cook YMCA in Oak Park invited community leaders to come to the Y to work on developing a community action plan to address the related issues of obesity and late-onset diabetes in children.  The YMCA invited local park districts, universities, school superintendents, health departments, youth service organizations, pediatricians and health professionals serving children in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park to participate.

THE GOALS
The group is called the Community Action Team for Healthier Kids and has over 25 members who meet regularly.  The Action Team has set three goals: 

1. To prevent/reduce childhood obesity and Type II Diabetes
2. To activate the community, both children and adults
3. To educate parents and children about obesity and diabetes

We intend to teach and encourage healthier lifestyles for children (and parents) through a variety of strategies including educational literature and health fairs, seminars, classes, family sports & fitness events and demonstrations throughout the year.

Over 20 agencies including colleges, health departments, elementary and high school districts, pediatricians, Infant Welfare Clinic, Park Districts and the West Cook YMCA are committed to improving the health of our children in our communities.

As part of our educational effort, we have developed a “A Community Answer Book for HealthyKids” Resource Handbook for parents.  This handbook provides simple, easy tips and plans for healthy, physical, fun activities for children and parents to stay active and for sensible, fast, economical healthy eating plans for the whole family.

In addition, this resource handbook lists all the area (Oak Park-Forest Park-River Forest) agencies and organizations that can provide additional services, programs, guidance, instruction and advice for parents.  This includes speakers, counselors, family, parent and kid fitness and health classes, and special events. All the contributing agencies with addresses, phone, e-mail and contact persons with their expertise are listed, along with programs and facilities available.

We published 12,000 of these handbooks and distributed them free to parents and “parents-to-be” in Oak Park-River Forest-Forest Park, to schools, churches, childcare agencies, family practitioners.

MISSION STATEMENT
“To significantly improve the health of our children by reducing the incidence of obesity and type II diabetes.”

For more information about the Action Team, contact Scott Gaalaas or Barbara Usmial at the YMCA, (708) 383-5200.