Obesity is reaching near epidemic proportions. An estimated 65 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese (1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). Even more disturbing is overweight children – a figure that has more than tripled since 1980. Among children and teens aged 6-19 years, 16 percent (more than 9 million) are overweight. A recent state study showed 18 percent of 8th graders overweight with another 17 percent at risk for becoming so. In a Pennsylvania classroom of 35 children, that would be more than six overweight kids, with nearly six more on their way. This trend cannot continue.

We can’t turn back the clock, but we can develop long-range solutions for all age groups. Our earliest programs target women who are breastfeeding, a choice linked to lower obesity rates in children. Eighty percent of new mothers at Women & Babies Hospital are breastfeeding upon discharge.

Of course, the best way to promote healthy weight management is to start early. Color Me Healthy (CMH) is a preschool program for kids, teachers and parents coordinated by Lancaster General wellness educators in cooperation with the state Health Department. In its first year, CMH trained 135 teachers in 118 daycare centers. In addition, we were proud to become advisors on School Health Councils for the Columbia, Hempfield, Lancaster, Manheim Township and Warwick districts.

A Mother's Story Brandon Swinko was tired of kids teasing him about his weight. So his mom Kim enrolled them both in Shapedown, a 12-week program that sent their enthusiasm through the roof. “The results have been priceless,” Kim says. “My son is now very active and very smart about what he eats. We owe all of our success to this program.”

With community partners like LANA (Lancaster Advocates for Nutrition and Activity), Lancaster General focuses on obesity in school-aged children. Then there’s Shapedown – a comprehensive weight management/healthy eating initiative for youth and teens that enlists help from the whole family. Since 2004, school-based participation has grown from 42 to 117. The results have been amazing – 62 percent decreased BMI and 90 percent showed improvement in selecting healthy foods. One year later, 96 percent are still choosing healthy and 79 percent are limiting sedentary activities (TV, computer) to three hours per day or less.

Enlisting the help of parents is crucial. Through eight presentations to parent-teacher organizations across the county, Lancaster General has distributed more than 50,000 free copies of The Parent’s Guide to Healthy Eating & Activity and educated participants about BMI.

Our continuing efforts in healthy weight management include: LEARN (a 15-week class for adults), Over 50 & Fit, a stroller club (a parks and recreations program for new moms who want to lose their baby weight), and exercise classes for those with limitations (Heart Healthy Yoga, Mindful Yoga, Mother-Baby Yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi and Pregnancy Plunge).

In partnership with the Lancaster County Planning Commission, we continue to publish Lancaster on the Move, a guide to free/low-cost places to be physically active in Lancaster County.