Care Choices Fit Kids Program Offers Free Health and Swim event in Ypsilanti

August event aimed at fighting childhood obesity

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., August 12, 2004 — Care Choices HMO is teaming up with the City of Ypsilanti’s Rutherford Municipal Pool and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports to offer children free health and swim event on Tuesday, August 24, 2004, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

The Rutherford Municipal Pool is located at 975 Congress Street in Ypsilanti; the phone number is (734) 482-4401. The free swim sessions are open to all youth — participants do not need to be residents of Ypsilanti, nor members of Care Choices HMO. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission for adults is $3.00 for those who would like to swim. There is no charge for adults who do not swim.

Medical professionals from the St. Joseph Mercy Pediatric and Adult Medicine Practice, in Ypsilanti, will be providing free body mass index checks. In children and teens, body mass index — which is your weight divided by your height — is used to assess underweight, overweight, and risk for overweight. The Fit Kids event will also offer healthy snacks; and information on physical fitness and exercise, bike helmet safety, sunscreen, and seat belt use.

The free swim program is part of the 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 13,000 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 Centers for Disease Control, 20 years ago, 5 percent of American kids were overweight; today, 13.5 percent are, according to a 2003 survey, and another 15.4 percent are at risk of becoming overweight. In Detroit, almost 20 percent of high school students are overweight. In Washtenaw County, the numbers are even higher — more than 25 percent of children age 12-17 are overweight, according to the Health Improvement Plan Survey 2000.

“Teaching kids good habits early on will help ensure their good health as adults,” according to Care Choices Associate Medical Director Elzbieta Rozmiej, a pediatrician specializing in childhood obesity. “The Care Choices events introduce kids to fun ways to stay healthy—physical activities, nutrition, and other information that we hope will stay with them throughout their lives.”

Regular physical activity reduces people’s risk from all forms of injury and physical health. It also helps to control body weight; contributes to healthy bones, muscles, and joints; reduces symptoms of nervousness and depression; and is linked to decreases in hospitalizations, physician visits and medications. Moreover, physical activity does not need be strenuous in order to be beneficial; people of all ages will benefit from even moderate physical activity.

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:

• Serve foods and snacks that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Emphasize fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Do not add salt when cooking and keep salt off the table. Studies have shown that children born to parents with high blood pressure develop significantly higher blood pressure when they consume more salt.
• Don’t smoke, and discourage your children from starting.
• 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.
• Limit your child’s TV, computer and video game time.
• Check out your child’s school vending machines and lunches. Let administrators know you strongly desire healthy food options to be offered.
• 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 website 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 website provides information on obesity in youth.

Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports.

TIME Magazine – June 7, 2004 edition, “How we Grow So Big,” By Michael D. Lemonick which gives statistic on Obesity in America today and how you can get healthy and prevent obesity in the future.

Chronic Disease – At A Glance – Nutrition and Physical Activity – Acting Assistant Secretary for Health.

Healthy Eating and Obesity Prevention in Washtenaw County – Community Health Committee Meeting January 13, 2004.