CHILDREN & WEIGHT

Aiken
Anderson
Barnwell
Berkeley
Fairfield
Laurens
Lexington
Marion
Orangeburg
Pickens
Richland
Saluda
Spartanburg
Union
Williamsburg
York

Children and Weight Summit

March 27, 2003

Local Coalition Report: Union

Facilitator: Sue Hovey Recorder: Sue

How aware are you of the problem of childhood overweight in our community? What evidence do you see in your work? Outside your work setting?

• We see the children who are not making healthy food choices
• We are not aware of statistics for children as we are adults. It’s not as obvious (problem of lots of people being overweight) in the schools as when you go to Wal-Mart or supermarket

What’s happening in our community that supports healthy eating among children? What needs to be changed to help children eat better?

• “Changing the Scene” Team Nutrition grant
• inter-agency committee AHUM
• walking paths at Foster
• Clubs should sell healthy products instead of candy
• Removing vending machines from areas near cafeteria or put healthy things in the vending machines
• Every where food is available, make it be healthy food
• Remove items that have sugar as the first ingredient
• Put in items that are less than 30% fat

What’s happening on our community that supports physical activity among children? What needs to be changed to help children be more physically active?

• Walking paths at foster park
• Kids still play outside (safe community)
• After school programs by the YMCA at several schools.
• REC Department mainly works with children’s activities

Are you or your organization currently working on the issue of childhood overweight? What is being done?

• Team Nutrition grant started July, 2002
• A child care center is included in the grant
• Elementary school has Five A Day tour to Bi-Lo
• 4-H has summer nutrition workshops and a “Baking Buddies” 4-H club (and even EFNEP 4-H clubs)

What resources already exit in our community that can be used to help families eat better and be more active?

• Clemson Extension / EFNEP/LINC
• YMCA
• Schools – cafeteria staff
• AHUM
• Church nurses, churches open for exercise and blood pressure
• Newspaper helps to publicize
• Radio (community calendar gets word out)

Would you be interested in participating in a community coalition to address this issue? List other individuals or organizations who may be willing to participate.

Yes, we are already doing it (AHUM and the grant committee)

Local Coalition Participants
Susan Hurley/Union County Schools susanh@union.k12.sc.us (864) 429-
Sue Hovey / Clemson Extension skhovey@clemson.edu (864) 427-6259
Edna Page / State Education eanderso@sde.state.sc.us (803) 734-8204
Diane Gillie/State Dept. of Education dgillie@sde.state.sc.us (803) 734-8193