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Asst. Professor Mariana Chilton, PhD, MPH, recently sat on a panel of experts, including state and local officials recently to address childhood obesity with the Surgeon General, at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
Dr. Chilton discussed the efforts of The Philadelphia GROW Project, and helped answer questions from a large audience in attendance.
At the panel, Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, MD, MPH, the acting Surgeon General, was the keynote speaker. As the nation’s top public health official, Dr. Galson spoke about the "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future" program, which focuses on recognizing and showcasing communities throughout the nation that are addressing childhood overweight and obesity prevention by helping kids stay active, encouraging healthy eating habits, and promoting healthy choices. It was his seventh stop on a nationwide tour to promote the program. |
According to the Surgeon General, more than 12.5 million children are overweight or obese. This makes up more than 17 percent of people between two and 19 years old. Overweight children are more likely to have serious risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes.
The panel discussed the childhood obesity epidemic, and outlined the steps that they are taking to address the disease in Philadelphia and across the state.
The panel members included Donald F. Schwarz, MD, MPH, the Deputy Mayor and Health Commissioner for Philadelphia, and Calvin B. Johnson, MD, MPH, the state’s Secretary of Health. The officials were joined by Dr. Chilton, as well as Vanessa Briggs, MBA, RD, LDN, of the Health Promotion Council, Arthur C. Evans, PhD, the acting commissioner of the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services, and Tine Hansen-Turton, MGA, JD, of the National Nursing Centers Consortium.
The Philadelphia GROW Project is an initiative that works to improve the growth and well-being of children through national research, advocacy and primary care. The GROW Project is directed by the Drexel School of Public Health, and operates at the St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.
For more information on The Philadelphia GROW Project, visit www.growproject.org.