Care Choices Hosts Fit Kids, Healthy Future 5K Walk to Fight Childhood Obesity

September 14th event to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Michigan

Farmington Hills, Mich., August 13, 2003 - In an effort to raise awareness about the rising rate of childhood obesity, Care Choices will host a 5K for children and their families. Endorsed by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports, the Care Choices Fit Kids~Healthy Future 5K will be held Sunday, September 14, 2003, from 8 -11 a.m. at Kensington Metro Park in Milford, Mich. Proceeds from the walk will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, a non-profit organization which grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Medical staff from the new Saint Joseph Mercy Primary Care Pediatrics practice, based in Howell, will be on hand to provide information about the use of body-mass index measures for children and to perform blood pressure checks. The American Heart Association recommends that a child's blood pressure be checked at every doctor visit after age three.

The event also features a shorter walk for young children, fun games and activities, appearances by Nickelodeon characters, prizes, and free tee shirts and participation medals for all young walkers. Event registration is free for children under age 15 and $15 for ages 16 and up. Registration forms are available online or call the Make-A-Wish Foundation at (888) 857-9474, extension 26.

The walk 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 10,000 children have taken part in free activities 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 ages 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.

"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 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).

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan is a chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America, the largest wish-granting charity in the world. Since 1984, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan has granted more than 3,600 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. The Michigan chapter anticipates granting nearly 400 wishes this year and has offices in Livonia, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, with more than 80 percent of expenditures going toward program services. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, visit www.wishmich.org or call (888) 857-WISH (9474).

How parents can help

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 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.
• 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 program 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 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.