Hartford Childhood Obesity Coalition Begin Talks of Treatment and Prevention

A panel of influential persons in the plight against childhood obesity in the Hartford district met to discuss childhood obesity prevalence within our community and abroad. Identification of problems as well as a rationale was the basis for its first meeting. Coalition structure and meeting frequency was also discussed for panel effectiveness.

Prevention and treatment were discussed separately behind all relative environmental factors pertinent to both modes of intervention. It was daunting to try and examine and determine root causes for such an evasive national epidemic within a span of an hour and a half. Ultimately, the Coalition will meet henceforth, however, I felt as though I could be there all day identifying and rationalizing the root problems associated with childhood obesity.

Professionals and researchers in the field are aware that it is not just one determinant cause. We as a society, children as well as adults, have developed into a population which have strayed from simplicity. All our foods are processed and added with numbers of unnatural ingredients which I do not even wish to go into. We slump day after day into the same sedentary lifestyles behind a computer or in front of a TV. I always find it disturbing to see a person at a gym or on a walk with their phone in hand texting madly as cars swerve to avoid them. We as a society have become obsessed with electronics. What would we do without our TV or computer or phone?

Children today are not developing within a do-it-yourself society. Everything is so easily accessible. Fast food establishments provide quick and cheap meals which should have a toxic warning on the label. Microwaves reheat highly processed food, typically consisting 75-100% of a person’s daily allowance of sodium, despite whether or not it is deemed as “health conscious.” The Wii has developed games to allow children to become more physically active and I am appreciative of such efforts, however, I believe that acts more as a short term solution and simply puts a band-aid on the problem.

The Coalition was successful in brainstorming a slew of problems relevant to the obesity epidemic. Prevention and treatment of obesity was deemed as necessitating differing modes of intervention. Environmental factors, specific to Hartford, were identified along with some possible modes for solution. Childhood obesity was assessed across the age spectrum. For example, children younger than 2 years of age would be placed within the prevention intervention rather than treatment with an emphasis placed upon breastfeeding containing the following: decreasing overall breastfeeding barriers; establishing improvements in maternity labor laws; increasing breastfeeding support through lactation consultants; and enforcing Baby friendly hospitals.

I was thrilled to sit in on the first meeting of the Hartford Childhood Obesity Coalition. The ideas which were generated were ground breaking and hold such potential for impact. The task at hand is all encompassing, however, and necessitates a true zeal in fighting against obesity. I look forward to hearing progress from the Coalition with successes in both prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.

Kristin Hantzos, EHC! Intern

Children Affected by the Recession Targeted in New Bill

The recent economic hardships have been on the minds of millions of Americans as unemployment rates remain high. Impacts are echoed across the landscape with a stringent effect upon the vulnerabilities present only to children. The Act Concerning Children in the Recession, Bill No. – 5360, presented by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly of the state of Connecticut, seeks to identify particular areas of concern and avenues necessary in preventing hardship among children. To raise awareness of such social concerns and to identify efforts necessary for relief is monumental in bill appropriateness and effectiveness.
I was very excited to be present to hear the testimonials delivered by members of the Children and the Recession Task Force from varying individuals and groups affected by the recession. The bill identifies the following state and federal agencies to provide aid and relief to children affected by the recession: the Department of Social Services; Public Health, Education, and Children and Families on topics of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Unemployment; and Medical insurance.
End Hunger CT! held a place in providing testimonials upon the relevance of SNAP benefits and the aid of federal programs currently in place to provide a means for relief. Such federal programs as school breakfast programs and the Summer Food Service Program are both available for school districts and can be utilized by the state.
Unfortunately, Connecticut currently ranks last in the country for school breakfast participation. Absolute funding is available through federal funds; however, it appears outreach efforts are necessary to increase awareness of such programs toward qualifying districts and persons.
I look forward to seeing increased attention placed upon such efforts as we seek to alleviate hardships manifesting upon the children in Connecticut and abroad. It is obvious that the hardships established through the recession have impacted us all in indifferent ways. Some, more than others, become more vulnerable to the stresses and inefficiencies of the state. Through the Act Concerning Children of the Recession, we as a state can address such concerns and provide the relief and opportunity each child deserves.

Kristin Hantzos, EHC! Intern