Page 86 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2016

HEALTHY LIVING get active!
LET’SGO!GULFCOAST Childhood obesity – reversing the growing epidemic
story by Randy Doyle photo courtesy of Mississippi Gulf Coast Youth Health Coalition
Childhood obesity is a serious problem in our area, but there’s a group of like-minded individuals and organizations working to combat it. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Youth Health Coalition, a part of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation,
is actively working to help stem this potentially devastating health epidemic. The Coalition was formed in 2013 with an initial focus on combating childhood obesity.
Such attention is warranted, especially after the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released this quote in August 2013: “If we fail to reverse our nation’s obesity epidemic, the current generation of young people may be the first in American history to live sicker and die younger than their parents’ generation.”
The good news is that childhood obesity can be prevented through
is “Make 5-2-1-0 Your Goal Every Day.”
Let’s Go! Gulf Coast provides free materials and online tools
for use in multiple settings: child care locations, schools, after- school programs, healthcare, workplaces, and community gathering places to reach children and families.
“Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults — type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease,” said Program Director Kelsey Defayette. “Obese children are also more likely to become obese adults with the associated health consequences.”
“The Mississippi Gulf Coast Youth Health Coalition is dedicated to combatting childhood obesity,”
said Alan Sudduth, a spokesman for Chevron, a major sponsor of the Coalition. “If you are interested in making a difference for our youth, join the Coalition today.”
Coalition Members include YMCA, Salvation Army/Kroc Center, Singing River Health System, Jackson County Civic Action Committee, University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi Department of Health, Chevron and Blossman Gas.
A membership form can be accessed at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CoalitionMembership. For partnership information, email us at letsgogulfcoast@gmail.com.
Adam Keel with Kelsey Defayette.
programs such as the Coalition’s Let’s Go! Gulf Coast which
emphasizes healthy eating and active living for Gulf
Coast children, youth, their families, and the communities in which they
live, learn, work, and play. The program’s core message
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