HealthWise: Childhood Overweight
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North Carolina's kids are losing the battle with the bulge.

The Center for Disease Control reports that 27% of high school age students in North Carolina are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. Additionally, the North Carolina Nutrition and Physical Activity Surveillance System (NC-NPASS 2003) states that 23% of children ages 5 to 11 are overweight and that the prevalence of obesity in North Carolina's children increased by 40% in 5 to 11 year olds between 1995 and 2000.

The North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund, chaired by Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue has recently addressed this issue by evaluating the status of obesity among the state's children. After meeting for one year to study the problem in North Carolina, a committee of health care experts, advocates, educators, researchers and business leaders from across the state appointed by the Fund recommended several policy changes for physical activity and nutrition standards in North Carolina schools to address the epidemic.

In Healthwise: Childhood Overweight, the expert panelists on Healthwise will discuss not only the policy proposals but also explore the origins of childhood overweight and obesity; look at prevention programs and efforts being made on the state and local levels; and take questions about childhood overweight from our viewing audience.

Panelists

Nicole L. Beckwith, R.H.Ed., Grant Program Manager, Children, Youth and Community Obesity Grant
NCDHHS-Division of Public Health
North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund

Beckwith oversees the three-year Children, Youth and Community Obesity Grant funded by BCBSNC and HWTF. The mission of the grant is to prevent and help African American, Hispanic and American Indian youth ages 5-11 with the problem of obesity.

Jorge Figueroa, PhD, Deputy Director
Wilmington Health Access for Teens (WHAT)

Dr. Figueroa's work focuses on campaign to create community awareness in New Hanover County. His organization is working with a number of local partners to implement the state's recommendations for physical activity and nutrition. He is drawing heavily on a model called Question Why, which was used for tobacco. He is trying to create a Gold Standard in schools for nutrition.

Lynn Hoggard, Section Chief, Child Nutrition Services
Department of Public Instruction
Eat Smart, Move More...North Carolina

Lynn leads the state's Child Nutrition Team, which includes administration and oversight of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, After Snack Program, Seamless Summer Feeding Program and Special Milk Program. She serves as the state's liaison between the DPI and the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service.

Dr. Olson Huff, Commissioner
North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund
Located in Asheville, Dr. Huff is a retired pediatrician who practiced in Asheville for 35 years. He believes childhood overweight and obesity is a significant health problem in North Carolina and the consequences of that problem are enormous.

Shellie Pfohl, Executive Director
Be Active North Carolina

Shellie Pfohl helped found BANC in 2000. She has helped start Be Active New York and Be Active Minnesota and is currently developing Be Active America. BANC has put together a comprehensive strategy, aimed at encouraging and coordinating grassroots fitness programs focused on policy and environmental changes, public awareness, collaboration and volunteerism. The program's mission is to increase physical activity levels and healthy lifestyles among all North Carolinians through people, programs, and policies.