April 22, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center (MHRC) Healthy Happy Kids Nutrition and Physical Activity Program is teaming up with West End Community School to introduce children in the Central Park Elementary after-school program to the importance of nutrition and exercise.

Healthy Happy Kids is a free, hands-on, six-session curriculum targeting underserved elementary school children attending after-school programs in inner city schools. It is designed to help reduce and prevent childhood obesity.

Each child in the after-school program in the West End Community School at Central Park Elementary will have an opportunity to participate in Healthy Happy Kids activities during five after-school sessions from 3 to 5 p.m., April 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29, plus a two-hour evening parent/kids food-and-fun activity workshop from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 30.

The children will learn theoretical lessons on the food pyramid and calorie balance, as well as practical lessons on hands-on preparation of healthy foods. There also will be interactive lessons on the importance of daily physical activity, and they will learn easy and fun games that promote physical activity.

The final workshop will give parents an overview of what the children have learned and an opportunity to participate in healthy snack preparation. Certificates will be presented to the children for completion of the program.

"In the United States, obesity occurs at higher rates in racial and ethnic minority populations such as African-American and Hispanic-Americans. Also, cultural factors influence dietary and exercise behaviors, and research has shown these play a major role in the development of excess weight in minority groups," said UAB MHRC Director Mona Fouad, M.D. "We targeted these groups of children for this program in an effort to help them learn early how to lead a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise."

Healthy Happy Kids is financed in part with philanthropy funds raised by the MHRC Gala. Plans are to implement the program in after-school care programs city and statewide as funding becomes available.

About UAB

The UAB Minority Health & Health Disparities Research Center (MHRC) is a comprehensive educational, research and community outreach center focused on eliminating the health disparities of racial/ethnic minorities and underserved populations.