By Staff
ST. JOSEPH – Berrien County Commissioners recently approved a request for the county to officially launch We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity &Nutrition!), a new evidence-based program from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to address the growing obesity epidemic among youths ages 8-13. Although the We Can! program has been adopted in organizations and communities across the country, including nearby South Bend, Indiana, Berrien is one of the first entire counties to be named a We Can! county.
"Parents in southwest Michigan have new resources to help their families maintain a healthy weight," said Pam Kurtz, Lakeland HealthCare registered dietitian and We Can! organizer. "With the resources that the WeCan! program offers, we can help make a difference in the lives of our residents."
The county will be presented with a plaque designating it a WeCan! site at a special summit at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, in the auditorium at St. Joseph High School, 2521 Stadium Drive, St. Joseph. Melissa McGowan, Public Health Advisor and Public Liaison at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be the event's keynote speaker, and Matt Bellina of the City of South Bend, who helped launch the We Can! program there, will also be present. Representatives of the Healthy Berrien Consortium, which represents key healthcare organizations in the county, will set goals for We Can! in Berrien County to help children and families maintain a healthy weight. Because it will be important to have as much community participation as possible, all southwest Michigan residents interested in making a difference in the prevalence of obesity and related health issues in the community are encouraged to attend this free program.
The issue of overweight and obesity is a serious national health issue, and in Berrien County, 31.1 percent of the population is considered obese. This percentage is higher than the rate of obesity for the state of Michigan (26.2percent) and the nation (24.4percent). Not only are local adults getting heavier, but so are children. The percentage of children and teens that are overweight has tripled since the 1970s. These increasing rates raise concern because of their implications for the community's health.
As part of We Can!, the Healthy Berrien Consortium is organizing a comprehensive directory of local programs related to fitness, nutrition and weight loss. An online survey has been set up where county residents can provide feedback on area wellness programs, and your participation is important in providing a complete directory. If you would like a link to this survey, or to register for the We Can! summit, email Barbara DeLong, Manager, Center for Health Enhancement, Lakeland HealthCare, at bdelong@lakelandregional.org, or call 866-260-7544.