Fighting Childhood Obesity in the Nation’s Capital

A full 40 percent of Washington, D.C. families with children were unable to afford to put a meal on the table at least once in 2010, according to a recent Gallup Poll. At the same time, a 2009 study found that 43 percent of children enrolled in DC schools were overweight or obese, one of the highest rates in the nation.

Kaiser Permanente has been working with a variety of nonprofit community partners in the District for many years. And with their leadership, we’re making headway.

For example, look at what’s happening in the underserved Anacostia district of Ward 8, where childhood obesity rates exceed 50 percent. We’ve been supporting a major obesity prevention campaign in the ward by SHIRE (the Summit Health Institute for Research and Education) since 2006. Among the programs SHIRE has instituted in response to rising obesity rates are:

• A teen and adult peer educator program that has trained community members to teach others life skills related to healthy eating;
• The introduction of a physical education module that has incorporated 60 minutes of daily exercise into the curriculum of 100 childcare centers;
• Container garden programs at childcare centers;
• And assistance to build a playground to the residents’ specifications.

Starting this summer, residents of Ward 7 and 8 will be able to grow fresh produce through a SHIRE-sponsored East of the River Urban Neighborhood Gardening Inititive, funded by Kaiser Permanente of the MidAtlantic.