University Area Community Launches Campaign to Fight Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels. However, the University Area Community Development Corp. is launching a campaign to take the fat out of fun.

The nonprofit corporation has received a $3,000 grant from Molina Healthcare of Florida to institute First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative to reverse the trend of childhood obesity in a generation.

With the grant, the University Area Community Development Corp. officially became a "Let's Move Faith and Communities" member.

The First Lady has challenged community groups around the country to inspire positive changes.

The UACDC will work with the University of South Florida and other partners to institute fun, creative programs for children and families that teach nutrition and encourage families to get fit together.

“We’ll have health and nutrition specialists go to places where families are such as schools, parks, community events, etc., making every attempt to remove barriers to receiving the program,” said UACDC Executive Director and CEO Dan Jurman.

The total budget for the first year of the program is $4,000. With $3,000 coming from Molina Healthcare, the other $1,000 will be contributed by UACDC. This budget includes the cost for the staffing of the health/nutrition personnel, USF Public Health interns and any materials needed for area families.

In addition to events in the community, the UACDC also is assisting Mort Elementary School with its new Walking School Bus. 

“A Walking School Bus is a group of children who walk to school together under the supervision of a trained adult leader," said Melissa Enzor, school social worker at Mort Elementary. "It could be a parent or volunteers like college students or local seniors. The program promotes good health, a cleaner environment, improved traffic safety for children and reduced traffic around the school.”

Volunteers interested in being trained to help with the Walking School Bus for Mort Elementary School should contact Enzor at 813-975-7373, ext. 233.  Parents interested in learning more about Let’s Move! events should contact Jessica Steed at jsteed@uacdc.org.

For more details, click here.

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