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Childhood Obesity Forum TonightBy Jen Thomas - October 25, 2007
PITTSFIELD - In an attempt to address the childhood obesity epidemic, Berkshire Health Systems, in collaboration with the Pittsfield Public Schools and Operation Better Start, is hosting a public forum on Thursday to raise awareness of this pressing issue.
"Obesity is such a hard topic but we're seeing a lot more kids with complicated health issues at a younger age," said Peter Gazzillo, a dietitian and the program director for Operation Better Start, a BHS-sponsored specialty service that focuses on promoting long-term healthful behaviors.
Gazzillo pointed to hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and pre-diabetes as examples of health issues affecting younger populations.
According to Gazzillo and Mark Snowise, the physician adviser for Operation Better Start, education is a critical part of changing the lifestyles of those who are overweight or obese.
"The idea of the forum is to make people aware of what's happening with children and adolescent populations. It's a problem that can't keep happening," said Snowise.
Approximately 23 percent of city elementary school pupils are considered overweight (which occurs when a person's body mass index - a calculation based on height, weight and age - is above 95 percent). Thirty-eight percent are in danger of becoming overweight (those with a BMI between 85 and 95 percent), according to Snowise.
The childhood obesity panel will address some of the factors that lead to obesity in the birth-through-22-years age group and outline the resources available in the community to combat those factors.
"Anyone in the community can come and can express ideas and concerns," said Gazzillo.
Both Gazzillo and Snowise said inactivity is a major reason why the rate of obesity nationwide is on the rise. The average child watches in excess of three hours of television a day and computers make communication and research easier, perpetuating a society that is increasingly sedentary. While there is no one solution to the problem of obesity, encouraging a regiment of nutrition and exercise helps both children and families to control their weight.
"We're going to have to come at this issue from very different angles. The earlier we can get kids to understand that eating right and going outside to play will have positive effects on their health, the better," said Gazzillo.
Operation Better Start helps pass that message on by working with local agencies to implement programs that put an emphasis on healthy lifestyles, personal empowerment and coordination among health-care providers. These services are provided to individuals and families at no "out-of-pocket cost."
"There needs to be an incentive for change and there are people who need some desperate change in their health. We can have a big impact on an entire family through a child," said Gazzillo.
The panel is just one resource available to families in Berkshire County interested in taking proactive steps toward improving their lives.
"[The panel] is just one piece of the puzzle. To combat obesity, you have to make changes as an individual, a family, a community, a state and a country. We're just here to start the conversation," Snowise said.
The forum will take place tonight at 5 at Hillcrest Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 169 Valentine Road.
The panel will include Snowise, a sports medicine specialist; Joshua Weeks, former athletic director, health coordinator and chairman of the ad hoc Wellness Committee for the Pittsfield Public Schools; Dr. Siobhan McNally, pediatrician and environmental health advocate; Pittsfield Family YMCA Executive Director Randy Kinnas; James Ramondetta, owner of Berkshire Nautilus, and Nancy Salvatore, co-owner of Chin Bo Jok Martial Arts Academy.
Graphic by Designed to a T |
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