Combating childhood obesity reinvigorates Barren County Chamber of Commerce health committee

Combating childhood obesity has become the focus of the health-care committee of the Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce, a panel that had otherwise lost its drive.

The committee has started using the "We Can" childhood obesity prevention program, which has already been adopted by more than 1,000 communities nationwide. Designed for children 8 to 13, the program "offers a curriculum that can be used to teach parents about healthy eating," reports Gina Kinslow of the Glasgow Daily Times. The committee has now partnered with various organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County, to get the word out and start educating parents.

"The 'We Can' education program provides parents and caregivers with tools, fun activities and more to help them encourage healthy eating, increased physical activity and reduced time sitting in from of the screen (TV or computer) in their entire family," said Kelly Lile Jenkins, director of the Boys and Girls Club. Nearly 1 in 6 American children between the ages of 2 and 19 are obese, an estimated to 12 million youth. Another 14.8 percent are overweight, committee chair Beverly Mortimer noted. (Read more)