Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Middlesex-London Health Unit
New Program Helps Kids at Risk for Diabetes in Fight Against Childhood Obesity
London, ON – Families in Action, a new
community-based partnership, today announced a
six-month obesity intervention program aimed at
high-risk ethno-cultural children and their
families. Drawing on expertise from the Middlesex-
London Health Unit, The University of
Western Ontario’s Schulich School of Medicine
and Dentistry, Brescia University College, the
Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario and the
YMCA, Families in Action aims to address
obesity among children as the key to preventing
type-2 diabetes.
“We know childhood obesity is a growing concern
that has major long-term health care
implications for the future,” says Dr. Meizi He,
Nutrition Researcher/Educator, Public Health
Research Education and Development Program
(PHRED), REED Services, at the Middlesex-
London Health Unit and part of the Families in
Action team. “This is a made-in-London
initiative that addresses a much broader societal
problem and it’s our first step to making
these resources available to many kids at risk
across the province.”
A one-year grant from the Public Health Agency of
Canada’s Provincial Diabetes Strategy
was also announced today, allowing Families
in Action to create a resource kit which will be
shared with similar groups in Toronto, Hamilton
and Ottawa.
“We hope that this research will provide valuable
information describing the effectiveness of a
community-based approach to preventing
childhood obesity and its associated risk for type-2
diabetes,” says Dr. Stewart Harris, diabetes expert
at the Schulich School of Medicine &
Dentistry and a member of the Families in
Action team.
Initially, the program will focus its attention on
children and families from London’s Latino
community. Through the initiative, children
between the ages of 6 and 12 will be screened for
certain risk factors and, if they meet the
requirements, will enter into a program that
combines
healthy eating and physical activity.
Media Contacts:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager,
Middlesex-London Health Unit
519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Kathy Wallis, Media Relations Officer, Schulich
School of Medicine & Dentistry,
The University of Western Ontario
519-661-2111 ext. 81136
Spokespeople:
Dr. Meizi He, Nutrition Researcher/Educator,
Public Health Research Education and
Development Program (PHRED), REED Services,
at the Middlesex-London Health Unit
Dr. Stewart Harris, MD, MPH, FCFP, FACPM,
Professor, Ian McWhinney Centre for Studies
in Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine
& Dentistry, The University of Western
Ontario
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