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PRESS RELEASE
Healthy Fontana
Recipient Of 2009 Kaiser Foundation Hospital Grant
The Mayor and Council are pleased to announce their community-wide wellness program, Healthy Fontana, is the recipient of a 2009 Community Benefit grant, awarded by Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Fontana. The $8,000 grant will be used to implement an educational campaign called “Be Smart, Be Healthy, Be Sugar Smart!” to combat childhood obesity in 29 schools in the Fontana Unified School District. The educational campaign includes displaying posters in school cafeterias and classrooms, handouts and hands-on demonstrations.
"Healthy Fontana was developed to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity…with Kaiser’s great assistance, we are passing another generation hope to eliminate this community problem and I could not be happier", said Mayor Pro-Tem Acquanetta Warren.
Obesity is a major problem among children and it can lead to negative health outcomes. In Fontana, thirty-eight percent of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Fifty-five percent do not meet the aerobic capacity fitness standard which is considered the most important indicator of fitness status. Poor dietary patterns and lack of physical activity in early childhood can influence the development of chronic diseases later in life. Therefore, schools are the perfect venue for educating children and subsequently their families about proper nutrition and the importance of physical activity.
Through “Be Smart, Be Healthy, Be Sugar Smart,” Healthy Fontana will educate children in the Fontana Unified School District on healthy eating habits and the importance of physical activity, enabling students to make healthier lifestyle choices. “It is another great step in continuing the partnership between Fontana Unified and Healthy Fontana. The benefit will be our children and families,” said Superintendent Cali Olsen-Binks. “We are excited to work with Healthy Fontana in addressing childhood obesity,” said Jennifer Resch-Silvestri, Area Director of Public Affairs for Kaiser Permanente. “Through focused efforts such as these, we can begin to improve childhood obesity rates.”
For more information on this program or how you can get involved contact Healthy Fontana at (909) 350-6542. For general information on the Healthy Fontana program you can visit the website at www.healthyfontana.org.
Dede Benson, Community Services Coordinator II
Telephone: (909) 350-6541
E-Mail:
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