CAN DO HoustonChildren And Neighbors Defeat ObesityAddressing Childhood Obesity One Neighborhood at a Time

Beverly J. Gor, EdD, RD, LD, Postdoctoral FellowNiiobli Armah IV, Program Coordinator

University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer CenterDepartment of Health Disparities Research

Center for Health Equity and Evaluation ResearchHealthy Kids, Healthy Communities Program Director

The Problem: Childhood Obesity

• 19% are overweight (BMI>85% to <95%)• 27% of fourth graders are obese (BMI>95%)• 2 million Houston residents: 49% Anglo, 37% Hispanic,

25% African American, 5% Asian• Minority communities greater risk of childhood obesity,

heart disease, stroke, asthma, type 2 diabetes, depression, cancer

• More fast food restaurants• Only 6 acres of park/1000 residents• Approximately 30% uninsured

Why we should care: Cost

$3.3 Billion“Counting Costs and Calories: Measuring the Cost of Obesity to Texas Employers,” Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller, March, 2007

• Obesity costs Texas businesses

Why we should care: Children

What is CAN DO Houston? Holistic community-based

program to prevent and diminish childhood obesity

Target group is children 0 – 12 years of age and their caregivers

Recognition that our mission will require a multi-dimensional approach

Programs are delivered in schools, after-school, worksites, community centers, recreation parks, faith community, and home environments

Physical activity, nutrition and healthy minds

How it all began

Mayor’s Wellness Council

• Dr. Lovell Jones• Chair, Childhood

Obesity Task Force

Houston Wellness Association

• Christine Mei• Chair, Special Interest

Group on Children and Family Wellness

Center for Clinical & Translational Science

• Dr. Nancy Murray/Nancy Correa

• Childhood Obesity

Mission: To prevent and diminish childhood obesity in Houston and surrounding communities through physical activity, nutrition, and healthy minds by enabling the broadest collaboration of individuals, institutions,

and organizations.

Board of Directors, 2011 Chair: Dr. Lovell Jones, UTMDACC Immediate Past Chair: Christine Mei, Coca

Cola Minute Maid Secretary: Dr. Nancy Murray, Retired,

UTSPH Treasurer: Bill Baun, UTMDACC Member: Doug Earle, First Colony Civic Assn Member: Juan Gonzalez, HISD Principal 2 Board Member Vacancies

CAN DO Houston is About Mobilizing & Coordinating Existing Resources

Coca Cola Minute Maid Foods Houston Area Dietetic

Association Baylor College of

Medicine/Children’s Nutrition Research Center

City of Houston Health & Human Services

City of Houston Parks & Recreation

Houston Independent School District

WIC

M.D. Anderson Center for Health Equity & Evaluation

UT School of Public Health Children at Risk Houston Police Department METRO Recipe for Success Texans Together Gateway to Care Channel 8 KUHT Collaborative for Children And others……

Previous solution: Diet books and pedometers

10

Achieve physicalactivity

recommendations/Meet dietary

guidelines

Achieve physicalactivity

recommendations/Meet dietary

guidelines

Community Barriers

Traditional Approach

Traditional Health Promotion Previous solution: Only individual responsibility

Community Barriers

ActiveLiving/HealthyEating

ActiveLiving/HealthyEating

Community Design Approach

Better solution: Individual in healthier environment

SUNNYSIDE

MAGNOLIAPARK

INDEPENDENCE

HEIGHTS

FIFTH WARD

NORTHSIDE

CAN DO Houston

• Magnolia ParkBriscoe ElementaryMason Park• SunnysideYoung ElementarySunnyside Park• NorthsideLyons ElementarySPARK Park• Fifth WardBruce ElementarySwiney Park• IndependenceHeightsBurrus ElementaryInd Hts Park

Magnolia Park/Lawndale Wayside 21,302 residents: 96% Hispanic 31% earn < poverty level <50% employed Briscoe Elementary Mason Park

Environments that support sedentary behavior

Briscoe After School Soccer Leagues

After school bus transportation to Mason Park

Briscoe Fitness Explosion: 9/10/09

CAN DO Houston volunteerrecruiting interested parents

UH students quiz Briscoe students on nutrition questions

Briscoe Fitness Explosion: 9/10/09

ZUMBA!

Sunnyside

One of the oldest African American communities in Houston

18,629 residents: 94% African American 38% earn < poverty level <50% employed Young Elementary Sunnyside Park

Environments that support poor diet

Environments that support healthy eating

Sunnyside Nutrition Carnival

Cooking classes for parents at Wilmington Apartment Complex

Northside Village (Near Northside) 29,923: 78% Hispanic/Latino 45% earn < poverty level 34% employed, 7% unemployed, 31%

retired, 18% homemakers, 12% unable Lyons Elementary Spark Park

Better quality of life

Cooking classes for parents

School Garden at Lyons Elementary

Community Garden

Other Activities at Lyons

Renovation of

their SPARK Park Creation of a

Wellness Room for school staff, students and community members

Early Life Experience

Physical Inactivity Easier Said than Done…

HealthActiveLiving

HealthyEating

IncomeWork

HousingCommunity

Race and Ethnicity

Economic StatusEducation

Future Directions Magnolia: expanding garden, aerobic classes for parents, increasing use of

existing PA Sunnyside: leadership and advocacy skills for residents, food co-ops,

produce in convenience stores Northside: leadership & advocacy skills for residents, greenhouse,

including special needs kids Fifth Ward: providing PA at Bruce elementary, healthy lifestyle classes for

parents officials to implement a comprehensive plan for joint use policies Independence Heights: community assessments, meetings with

stakeholders For all communities: Evaluation with stakeholders Support for community gardens/farmers markets, physical activity Technical assistance to partner organizations Meeting with elected officials to discuss joint use policies

How to support CAN DO Houston Become a CAN DO Houston partner Identify funding: assist with fundraising, grant

writing Volunteer with CAN DO Houston Technical assistance: public relations,

research, meeting with stakeholders Identify resources: excess produce, PA

equipment, “give-aways”

Questions?

THANK YOU!