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Thursday, January 8, 2009

A free six-week weight management program helps children and families start the New Year with good food and plenty of exercise.

Contra Costa Health Services´ NEW (Nutrition, Exercise, and Wellness) Kids Program, in partnership with the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District and Kaiser Permanente, will begin their free six-week weight management class series for youth 6 to 12 years old and their families in East and Central Contra Costa County.

"We know that more than one in four fifth-graders is overweight in our county. The NEW Kids Program helps children and their families learn more about healthy eating and exercise," said Ana Villalobos, Nutrition Educator with the Nutrition Education and Physical Activity Project of Contra Costa Health Services.

"We want families to be able to apply what they learn in class in their day-to-day activities. To help them do this we provide them with items that encourage success at home such as measuring cups, cookbooks, jump ropes and more," said Villalobos.

Classes, which are available in both English and Spanish, meet for 90 minutes a week for six sessions and cover topics on how to: cook and eat healthy with more fruits and vegetables, read food labels, plan healthy meals and snacks, eat out healthy, increase family exercise every day, and set and reach behavior change goals.

"Being overweight can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Our classes take traditional recipes and make them healthier. We show families how to continue to eat the foods they like using healthier ingredients and healthier cooking methods," said Villalobos.

Pre-registration is required for all classes. At least one parent or guardian must attend with the child.

"We recently conducted an evaluation of the NEW Kids Program and found that a majority of parents thought the classes were fun and useful to their families," said Villalobos.

To enroll your child in one of our local six-week sessions please contact the coordinator in your area: Pittsburg and Bay Point: 925-890-0767 and Concord: 925-313-6860. For more information on the NEW Kids Program visit www.cchealth.org

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