Kentucky public health officials are working to reduce obesity within the state's youngest children. The obesity prevention program is focusing on children in pre-school, head start, or child care centers. The call to action includes staff training, family engagement, and making sure policies are aligned with best practices for diet and exercise. Elaine Russell is Obesity Prevention Program Coordinator in the Department for Public Health. "We know that one in five children are overweight or obese before they enter kindergarten. So, that means we're sending the schools the obesity epidemic and they are not really doing prevention anymore, more treatment," said Russell.
Russell says children advocates realize pre-school weight issues won't be solves overnight. "They said, if you want that training to lead to policy change and you want it to stick, then we really have to work with the families to make sure they understand why you are doing it. If they don't understand, then they might not bring their children ready for physical activity dressed with tennis shoes and making sure that they understand why the healthy foods are being offered," added Russell.
There are almost three thousand licensed child care centers, licensed child care homes and certified homes. During the first year of the project, 75 child care centers including some in Lexington will be participating.?
