We Can! (Ways to Enhance Childrens Activity & Nutrition)

Vital Stats

Erandy G

Ossining, NY

  • people helped14
  • People Doing It 4

The Problem

Today's lifestyles make it difficult for parents to keep their families at a healthy weight. Since the early 1970s, the number of overweight children aged 12-19 has doubled, and the number of overweight children aged 6-11 has tripled. Long term consequences of obesity include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, sleep disorders, and social/psychological problems. This program will empower parents to take control of their family's eating and activity habits to achieve a healthier and happier way of life. I am serving as an Americorps member at Open Door Family Medical Center in Ossining, NY. The current patient base consists primarily of Westchester poor: low-income working families and vulnerable populations such as immigrant populations, women and children. 98% of our patients have incomes at or below 200% the federal poverty line and full 50% have no health insurance of any kind. Needless to say, this population can benefit from the program in that they will learn cost effective strategies to eat healthy and engage in daily physical activity.

Plan of Action

We would like to continue to offer this program to the community in English and Spanish. Each program runs for 4 weeks, once a week. We would like to run 3 series between the months of May-August 2011. We are working with the local library to reserve space to hold the program, and we are reaching out to local food vendors for food donations. We are also seesking donations of exercise equipment such as workout videos, dumbbells, exercise bands, jump ropes, gym trial donations, etc. These items will be given to program participants as a reward for participating in the 4-week program.
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Physical and Mental Health
Healthy Living

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