Initiative for a Healthy Weight

Childhood Obesity Initiative

Health Director, David Gifford, MD, MPH, has declared childhood obesity as one of his top priorities. His objective is to propel the state forward with a clear goal in mind—to eliminate childhood obesity. The emphasis on childhood obesity fits well within the work of the Initiative for a Healthy Weight and will be the initial priority for action in the state’s obesity prevention plan, Rhode Island’s Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living.

Three goals have been set for childhood obesity:

1. By 2015, reduce by 50% the proportion of children entering kindergarten who are overweight.

2. By 2015, reduce the proportion of children entering 7th grade who are overweight.

3. Graduate the class of 2018 healthier than when they started school.

To reach these goals, action teams are forming to develop work plans addressing Initiative for a Healthy Weight’s four targeted behaviors (nutrition, physical activity, screen time, and breastfeeding). The following action teams have been formed:

• Early Childhood Action Team
• School-aged children Action Team
• Community Action Team
• Data and Surveillance Action Team
• Communications Action Team

Interested in getting involved?

• Join a workgroup. For more information, contact Kathleen Cullinen, PhD, RD, LDN, Initiative for a Healthy Weight Program Manager, 401-222-3497 or Kathleen.Cullinen@health.ri.gov.
  
• Join your local School Wellness Council. For more information, contact Rosemary Reilly-Chammat at 222-5922 or Rosemary.Reilly-Chammat@health.ri.gov.