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Illinois Agencies are Kicking Childhood Obesity!
DID YOU KNOW…
Childhood obesity has tripled since the 1980s. In Illinois, more than 25% of youth ages 12-16 and 18% of youth ages 6-10 are overweight.
Email IAPD at cdeiters@ILparks.org and share what your agency is doing to fight childhood obesity.
Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies are making it a priority to fight childhood obesity. Read below to find out what Illinois agencies are doing to fight childhood obesity.
 Lombard Park District
The Lombard Park District has developed an eye-catching, fact-filled Power Point Presentation about encouraging healthy lifestyles for youth sports participants by encouraging coaches and parents to eliminate team snacks. This educational presentation lists the risks of being overweight or obese and provides an overview of obesity trends in the United States. Treatment and prevention initiatives are reviewed. Lombard Park District Executive Director Mike Fugiel has taken this presentation to local clubs and organizations in the Lombard area to spread the message that the Lombard Park District is fighting childhood obesity by encouraging “Healthy Play.”
Click here to down Lombard Park District's "Healthy Play" presentation..
Click here to view the Lombard Park District’s “Childhood Obesity: Causes, Prevention, Treatment” brochure.
Want to start a similar initiative at your agency? Call the Lombard Park District at (630) 627-1281.
 Geneseo Community Park District
The Geneseo Community Park District partnered with the Henry County Health Department to develop a health education program called “Heart Smart” for 6th grade students. “Heart Smart” was a 9-week educational program focusing on the attention that our nation faces with childhood obesity and the impact it has on other preventable health related complications.
The goal of the program was to make a difference in lifestyle changes for the children. With the proper education and exciting learning environment, this program was intended to make an impact on how the students interpret their own personal health as well as educate them on alternatives toward healthy and fun lifestyle changes.
Click here to learn more about the Geneseo Community Park District’s “Heart Smart” program.
Want to conduct a similar “Heart Smart” program at your agency? Call Ken Asta, Geneseo Park District’s Health Risk Coordinator/Exercise Specialist at (309)-944-5695 or e-mail him at kasta@geneseo.net.
 Oak Lawn Park District
The Oak Lawn Park District revised their mission statement to: Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all ages, abilities, and ethnic backgrounds by offering a variety of leisure services that will promote physical and mental wellness. Click here to learn more information on how Oak Lawn Park District is combating childhood obesity.
 Illinois Association of Park Districts—PowerPlay
The Illinois Association of Park Districts is taking a stand against childhood obesity with the Power Play Beyond-School Grant Program.
The Power Play Grant Program involves implementing a model program that focuses on health, nutrition and fitness for children ages 10-17. Each grant recipient must incorporate the core elements of the model program into their curriculum. All park and recreation agencies in the State of Illinois are eligible for the Power Play Grant including park districts, forest preserves, conservation districts, and city agencies.
Twenty-five dollars from the sale and subsequent renewals of the Park District Youth License Plate is placed into the Power Play Grant Program to initiate healthy, beyond-school programs in Illinois. Thanks to proceeds from the plate, most recent Power Play Grant Program recipients received an extra $500 ($3700 total) to initiate or enhance beyond school programming focusing on health, nutrition and fitness in children.
To date, nearly $400,000 have been granted to IAPD agencies from the Illinois Association of Park Districts. The next cycle of Power Play grants have not yet been determined, but check IAPD's Web site often for an update. Illinois Association of Park Districts—AHA
The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) has joined forces with the American Heart Association (AHA) and its Alliance for a Healthier Generation to help tackle the childhood obesity epidemic that is plaguing our nation. The Alliance is a joint initiative between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation.
IAPD and AHA have created the "Healthy Playbook 4 KIDS" to help empower kids to make healthy lifestyle choices. This user-friendly toolkit provides various materials, information and resources on childhood obesity. Click here to read more or to download the "Healthy Playbook 4 KIDS"
Click here to learn more about "Go Healthy Month", which will be held in September.
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