Care Choices Fit Kids Program Offers Free Swim Events for Youth Monday Nights in July

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., June 3, 2004 – For the fourth consecutive year, Care Choices is teaming up with the City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports to offer children free swim events during the month of July.

The annual free swim program is part of Care Choices Fit Kids, Healthy Future community-based program aimed at encouraging physical activity among children. Since the program's inception in the year 2000, more than 12,000 children have taken part in the free programs that help fight what is considered by some experts to be one of the greatest medical risks faced by American children today - childhood obesity. According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 15 percent of children age 6 to 11 are overweight, double the rate of two decades ago. The number of overweight teens now stands at 15 percent, nearly triple the number in the 1970s. In Washtenaw county, the numbers are even higher - more than 25 percent of children age 12-17 are overweight, according to the HIP Survey 2000.

Through the Care Choices Fit Kids, Healthy Future program, youths ages 17 and under can swim for free Monday evenings in July (5, 12, 19, 26) at three Ann Arbor pools:

(Fuller Pool is restricted to tot pool, water slide and diving well area.)
*Family swim - children 17 and under must be accompanied by a paid adult
** General swim - children under 10 must be accompanied by someone age 16 years or older

The free swim sessions are open to all; participants do not need to be residents of Ann Arbor, or members of Care Choices HMO. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by a paid adult. Admission for adults is $4.00 for residents and $5.00 for non-residents.

“Overweight children are at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious health problems,” said Gilbert Burgos, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer of Care Choices. “Studies have shown they’re also more likely to suffer from depression and low self-esteem and to become obese adults.

“As a health care organization dedicated to prevention, Care Choices is concerned about this epidemic. We are committed to supporting activities that encourage children to develop and maintain good health habits,” said Dr. Burgos.

Care Choices HMO is a nonprofit health care organization and a subsidiary of Trinity Health, one of the nation’s leading providers of health care services. Since 1986, Care Choices has been providing quality health care to thousands of members throughout Michigan. Care Choices offers a broad, fully integrated network of physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals all sharing a strong commitment to improving the health status of the communities it serves by delivering effective and affordable health care. Care Choices HMO maintains the highest rating available of “Excellent” by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and holds a B+ financial-strength rating from A.M. Best Co.

SEVEN WAYS PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR CHILDREN BECOME “FIT KIDS”

Lifelong healthy habits start early. Here are some ways parents can help their children develop and maintain good health habits:

1. Serve foods and snacks that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Emphasize fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
2. Do not add salt when cooking and keep salt shakers off the table. Studies have shown that children born to parents with high blood pressure develop significantly higher blood pressure when they consume a higher intake of salt.
3. Don’t smoke, and discourage your children from starting.
4. Encourage your children to exercise and participate in sports and other physical activities. The federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend at least an hour of exercise for children and teenagers each day.
5. Limit your child’s TV, computer and video game time.
6. Check out your child’s school vending machines and lunches. Let administrators know you strongly desire healthy food options to be offered.
7. Advocate for quality physical education in school. Tell people you support programs, policy and environments that assist with increased physical activity.

For more information, check out these websites:

BAM! (Body and Mind) – Created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, this Web site is aimed at children ages 9 to 13. Designed to be kid-friendly in an interactive way, the site features information on topics such as physical fitness and asthma.

Body Mass Index (BMI) for Children and Teens – From the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, this Web site provides information on measuring overweight in persons under 20 years of age.

Governors Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports.

VERB – This initiative of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control encourages young people to get active and engaged with their family, friends and community in positive physical and pro-social activities