Gilroy students, parents join with county to battle the health
threat from childhood obesity
Gilroy – Children and their parents have the opportunity to answer the call to fight childhood obesity by taking part in a six-month weight control program started at Stanford University.
Gilroy Unified School District and School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County have collaborated to teach overweight students healthy eating and exercise habits in the voluntary program.
Studies show a growing number of children between the ages of 5 and 19 are overweight, according to School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County, and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy estimates that obesity in California costs the state about $28 billion each year.
Children between the ages of 8 and 12 and one of their parents attend one meeting a week, lasting about an hour, for six months. Parents pay a $125 deposit up front, but receive a full refund at the end of the program, which is held at South Valley Middle School.
However, for every weekly class missed, the health clinic subtracts $5 from the refund parents receive.
“We started the first pediatric weight control program in Gilroy in October, and it’s been very successful,” said Pilar Furlong, spokesperson for School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County. “The first session was done in Spanish and the one we’ll be starting in January will be in English. Both the parents and the students learn how to manage their weight.”
Parents learn how to pack more nutritional lunches for their children and how to prepare other healthy meals at home.
Children learn about exercise and how to make healthy food selections. Stanford University provides funding by way of grants for the program.
“We know that for many families it’s hard to come up with $125 to start the program, but I can’t stress enough that it’s worth it,” Furlong said. “By paying, it helps families commit to the program, and they do get the money back at the end.
“We want people to participate in the program because we’re talking about our children’s health, and nothing is more important than that.”
Kelly Savio is a staff writer for South Valley Newspapers. Reach her at (408) 842-2205 or ks****@**********rs.com.
